Strong coupling between moving atoms and slow-light Cherenkov photons

TL;DR

This paper explores the novel phenomena arising from the strong coupling of moving atoms to slow-light photonic waveguides, revealing new effects in photon emission and interactions in regimes where atomic velocities match the reduced photonic speed.

Contribution

It introduces a new regime of atom-light interaction where atomic velocities are comparable to the slow group velocity of photons in waveguides, highlighting non-perturbative effects and potential experimental platforms.

Findings

Identification of velocity-induced directionality effects.

Discovery of divergencies in the photonic density of states.

Proposal of Rydberg atoms and superconducting resonators as experimental platforms.

Abstract

We describe the coupling of moving atoms to a one dimensional photonic waveguide in the regime where the atomic velocities are comparable to the effective speed of light. Such conditions could be achieved, for example, in photonic crystals or coupled resonator arrays, where the maximal photonic group velocity is significantly reduced compared to free space. In this case the interplay between a velocity-induced directionality and the emergence of new divergencies in the photonic density of states gives rise to a range of novel phenomena and non-perturbative effects in the emission of photons and the resulting photon-mediated interactions between moving atoms. We show that apart from potential implementations with optical waveguides, Rydberg atoms flying above a coupled array of superconducting microwave resonators provide a versatile platform for exploring this new regime of atom-light interactions under experimentally accessible conditions.