Three-dimensional Roton-Excitations and Supersolid formation in Rydberg-excited Bose-Einstein Condensates

TL;DR

This paper explores how Rydberg excitation in Bose-Einstein condensates induces nonlocal interactions leading to roton excitations and a transition to a supersolid phase, with potential for experimental observation.

Contribution

It demonstrates the emergence of roton-maxon spectra and supersolid formation in 3D BECs due to Rydberg-induced interactions, expanding understanding of quantum phase transitions.

Findings

Observation of roton-maxon excitation spectrum

Prediction of supersolid phase formation

Feasibility of experimental detection with current technology

Abstract

We study the behavior of a Bose-Einstein condensate in which atoms are weakly coupled to a highly excited Rydberg state. Since the latter have very strong van der Waals interactions, this coupling induces effective, nonlocal interactions between the dressed ground state atoms, which, opposed to dipolar interactions, are isotropically repulsive. Yet, one finds partial attraction in momentum space, giving rise to a roton-maxon excitation spectrum and a transition to a supersolid state in three-dimensional condensates. A detailed analysis of decoherence and loss mechanisms suggests that these phenomena are observable with current experimental capabilities.