Van der Waals interaction potential between Rydberg atoms near surfaces

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum electrodynamic framework to understand how surfaces influence van der Waals interactions between Rydberg atoms, enabling control over phenomena like Rydberg blockade through environmental modifications.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized theoretical model connecting van der Waals and static dipole-dipole interactions near surfaces, specifically for Rydberg systems.

Findings

Framework relates van der Waals interactions to static dipole-dipole interactions near surfaces

Provides a method to control Rydberg interactions using reflecting surfaces

Enhances understanding of atom-surface interaction effects on quantum phenomena

Abstract

Van der Waals interactions, as a result of the exchange of photons between particles, can be altered by modifying the environment through which these photons propagate. As a consequence, phenomena such as the Rydberg blockade mechanism between highly excited atoms or excitons, can be controlled by adding reflecting surfaces. We provide the quantum electrodynamic framework for the van der Waals interaction in the nonretarded limit that is relevant for long-wavelength transitions such as those between Rydberg systems, and show its intimate connection with common static dipole-dipole interactions, thereby providing a generalization to include macroscopic bodies.