Spatiotemporal dynamics of quantum jumps with Rydberg atoms

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex spatiotemporal behavior of quantum jumps in a 1D chain of Rydberg atoms, revealing how Rydberg states influence neighboring atoms' dynamics through inhibition or enhancement effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of nonequilibrium quantum jump dynamics in Rydberg atom chains, highlighting the impact of Rydberg states on collective atomic behavior.

Findings

Rich spatiotemporal dynamics observed in fluorescence signals

Rydberg states modulate jump activity in neighboring atoms

Quantum jump patterns depend on Rydberg excitation interactions

Abstract

We study the nonequilibrium dynamics of quantum jumps in a one-dimensional chain of atoms. Each atom is driven on a strong transition to a short-lived state and on a weak transition to a metastable state. We choose the metastable state to be a Rydberg state so that when an atom jumps to the Rydberg state, it inhibits or enhances jumps in the neighboring atoms. This leads to rich spatiotemporal dynamics that are visible in the fluorescence of the strong transition.