Dicke quantum phase transition with a superfluid gas in an optical cavity

Kristian Baumann, Christine Guerlin, Ferdinand Brennecke and Tilman Esslinger ()
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Kristian Baumann: Institute for Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
Christine Guerlin: Institute for Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
Ferdinand Brennecke: Institute for Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
Tilman Esslinger: Institute for Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland

Nature, 2010, vol. 464, issue 7293, 1301-1306

Abstract: Abstract A phase transition describes the sudden change of state of a physical system, such as melting or freezing. Quantum gases provide the opportunity to establish a direct link between experiments and generic models that capture the underlying physics. The Dicke model describes a collective matter–light interaction and has been predicted to show an intriguing quantum phase transition. Here we realize the Dicke quantum phase transition in an open system formed by a Bose–Einstein condensate coupled to an optical cavity, and observe the emergence of a self-organized supersolid phase. The phase transition is driven by infinitely long-range interactions between the condensed atoms, induced by two-photon processes involving the cavity mode and a pump field. We show that the phase transition is described by the Dicke Hamiltonian, including counter-rotating coupling terms, and that the supersolid phase is associated with a spontaneously broken spatial symmetry. The boundary of the phase transition is mapped out in quantitative agreement with the Dicke model. Our results should facilitate studies of quantum gases with long-range interactions and provide access to novel quantum phases.

Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1038/nature09009

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