Dicke-like quantum phase transition and vacuum entanglement with two coupled atomic ensembles

TL;DR

This paper investigates a novel Dicke-like quantum phase transition and entanglement in a system of two coupled atomic ensembles, revealing new collective matter-wave dynamics distinct from traditional models.

Contribution

It introduces a new model of two interacting atomic ensembles exhibiting Dicke-like phase transition and entanglement, different from the standard spin-boson Dicke Hamiltonian.

Findings

Demonstrates Dicke-like quantum phase transition in coupled atomic ensembles.

Shows entanglement behavior arising from virtual photon exchange.

Proposes realizations with Bose-Einstein condensates in optical cavities.

Abstract

We study the coherent cooperative phenomena of the system composed of two interacting atomic ensembles in the thermodynamic limit. Remarkably, the system exhibits the Dicke-like quantum phase transition and entanglement behavior although the governing Hamiltonian is fundamentally different from the spin-boson Dicke Hamiltonian, offering the opportunity for investigating collective matter-light dynamics with pure matter waves. The model can be realized with two Bose-Einstein condensates or atomic ensembles trapped in two optical cavities coupled to each other. The interaction between the two separate samples is induced by virtual photon exchange.