Rydberg-dressing of atoms in optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that off-resonant Rydberg dressing in optical lattices can produce strong, coherent long-range interactions without causing atomic trap loss, enabling advanced quantum simulation and information processing.

Contribution

It provides a time-dependent analysis showing that Rydberg dressing does not induce trap loss, contrary to previous predictions, thus supporting its use in quantum technologies.

Findings

Rydberg dressing does not cause trap loss

Strong long-range interactions are achievable

Contradicts previous predictions about trap loss

Abstract

We study atoms in optical lattices whose electronic ground state is off-resonantly coupled to a highly excited state with strong binary interactions. We present a time-dependent treatment of the resulting quantum dynamics, which -- contrary to recent predictions [Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 213005 (2013)] -- proves that the strong repulsion between the weakly admixed Rydberg states does not lead to atomic trap-loss. This finding provides an important basis for creating and manipulating coherent long-range interactions in optical lattice experiments.