Self-organization of atoms along a nanophotonic waveguide

TL;DR

This paper explores how atoms coupled to a nanophotonic waveguide can self-organize their positions due to the interplay of atomic states, light scattering, and forces, revealing new quantum light-matter interaction phenomena.

Contribution

It demonstrates for the first time that atomic positions can self-organize along a nanophotonic waveguide through their mutual interactions and optical forces.

Findings

Atoms self-organize along the waveguide

Distinct spectral features indicate self-organization

Potential for experimental observation of phenomena

Abstract

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.