Stuttgart 2012 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 57: Kalte Atome

Q 57.1: Group Report

Friday, March 16, 2012, 10:30–11:00, V7.02

Linear-zigzag transition in a quantum potential — •Cecilia Cormick and Giovanna Morigi — Theoretische Physik, Universität des Saarlandes, D-66041, Saarbrücken, Deutschland

We study the dynamics of a chain of ultracold ions in a pumped standing-wave optical resonator, in the regime in which a dipolar transition of the ions couples with a cavity mode. In this scenario the ions' motion is determined by the trapping potential, the Coulomb repulsion, and the quantum potential of the cavity field. In particular, we focus on the case when the chain is close to the linear-zigzag structural transition. We first consider the limit in which the cavity field represents a negligible perturbation to the motion of the ions, and study how to obtain information about the structure and dynamics of the ion chain by measuring the intensity and spectrum of the light at the cavity output. We then analyze the behaviour when the back-action of the cavity field on the ions' dynamics relevantly affects the state of the crystal and show that hysteresis may appear where in free space one expects a continuous transition.