Anomalous excitation enhancement with Rydberg-dressed atoms

TL;DR

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of anomalous excitation enhancement in Rydberg-atom ensembles, revealing a quasi-dark state mechanism that surpasses traditional excitation limits, facilitating experimental feasibility.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel theoretical explanation involving quasi-dark states and avoided crossings, expanding understanding of excitation enhancement in Rydberg-dressed atoms.

Findings

Identification of a quasi-dark state responsible for enhancement

Demonstration of surpassing the $\sqrt{N}$ limit in excitation

Reduced probe laser intensity improves experimental feasibility

Abstract

We develop the research achievement of recent work [M. G\"arttner, et.al., Phys. Rev. Letts. 113, 233002 (2014)], in which an anomalous excitation enhancement is observed in a three-level Rydberg-atom ensemble with many-body coherence. In our novel theoretical analysis, this effect is ascribed to the existence of a quasi-dark state as well as its avoided crossings to nearby Rydberg-dressed states. Moreover, we show that with an appropriate control of the optical detuning to the intermediate state, the enhancement can evoke a direct facilitation to atom-light coupling that even breaks through the conventional $\sqrt{N}$ limit of strong-blockaded ensembles. As a consequence, the intensity of the probe laser for intermediate transition can be reduced considerably, increasing the feasibility of experiments with Rydberg-dressed atoms.