Quantum Atom Light Interfaces in High Density Samples

ended

Light mediated dipole-dipole (DD) interactions in high density samples constitutes an interesting source of complex physical phenomena. Ultracold atomic systems provide a unique platform to study such fundamental phenomena. This project targets the systematic study of the light mediated DD interactions in Yb atoms, a two-electron atom. This remains a highly unexplored regime where even simulations for small atom numbers remain difficult. A profound knowledge of the DD coupling mechanism can have severe implications in our understanding of atom-light quantum interactions in high density samples, and can open the way to new and exciting possibilities in quantum simulation or quantum metrology. We will study DD interactions in high spatial and optical density samples of Yb. Our main goal is to understand line shifts for near-resonance probing light in the usual weak drive regime, but also in the strong and pulsed operation regimes. The expected line shifts will inevitably affect the atomic population dynamics, which has implications in advanced metrological protocols (Rabi/Ramsey spectroscopy) currently used in state-of-the-art optical atomic clocks. Understanding and harnessing DD interactions in such context can be a crucial step towards more precise and stable atomic sensors.