First order phase transition between two centro-symmetric superradiant crystals
Xiangliang Li, Davide Dreon, Philip Zupancic, Alexander Baumgärtner, Andrea Morales, Wei Zheng, Nigel R. Cooper, Tobias Donner, Tilman Esslinger
Abstract
The authors observe a structural phase transition in a crystal spontaneously formed by placing illuminated atoms in an optical cavity. They record the transient dynamics of the order parameter across the phase transition, showing in real-time the change of the crystal polarization.
Topics & Concepts
Phase transitionPhysicsHamiltonian (control theory)Quantum phase transitionExcitationCondensed matter physicsBose–Einstein condensatePhase (matter)Quantum critical pointQuantum mechanicsMathematicsMathematical optimizationCold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein CondensatesStrong Light-Matter InteractionsNonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation