1211.5660 (D. E. Chang et al.)

Self-organization of atoms along a nanophotonic waveguide    [PDF]

D. E. Chang, J. I. Cirac, H. J. Kimble

Atoms coupled to nanophotonic interfaces represent an exciting frontier for the investigation of quantum light-matter interactions. While most work has considered the interaction between statically positioned atoms and light, here we demonstrate that a wealth of phenomena can arise from the self-consistent interaction between atomic internal states, optical scattering, and atomic forces. We consider in detail the case of atoms coupled to a one-dimensional nanophotonic waveguide, and show that this interplay gives rise to self-organization of atomic positions along the waveguide, which can be probed experimentally through distinct characteristics of the reflection and transmission spectra.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1211.5660