Hannover 2010 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 5: Ultra-Cold Atoms: Rydberg Gases / Miscellaneous (with Q)

A 5.4: Talk

Monday, March 8, 2010, 17:30–17:45, A 320

Strongly interacting Rydberg atoms in a one-dimensional lattice — •Hendrik Weimer and Hans Peter Büchler — Institut für Theoretische Physik III, Universität Stuttgart

We analyze the ground state properties of a one-dimensional lattice system, where Rydberg excitations are created by laser driving. In the classical limit the ground state is characterized by comensurate crystals with fractional exciations. We show that quantum fluctuations lead to a melting of the crystalline phases that is governed by condensation of the excitations. We compare the critical exponents obtained within perturbation theory to mean-field predictions for a homogeneous gas [1,2].

[1] H. Weimer, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 250601 (2008).

[2] R. Löw et al., Phys. Rev. A 80, 033422 (2009).