Cited by 1,530Strong Light-Matter InteractionsCold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein CondensatesQuantum optics and atomic interactions

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

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Baumann, Kristian, Guerlin, Christine, Brennecke, Ferdinand, Esslinger, Tilman·2010·Nature

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.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nature09009

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  • The most advanced experiments with AQSs have been with ultracold atoms in optical lattices.

    “The most advanced experiments with AQSs have been with ultracold atoms in optical lattices [3, 5-15, 19, 71].”

    From Can one trust quantum simulators? (2012) · cites this paper as [9]

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Authors
Baumann, K., Guerlin, C., Brennecke, F., & Esslinger, T.
Affiliations
ETH Zurich (CH)
Corresponding author
Esslinger, Tilman
Venue
Nature
Published
2010-04
Volume
464
Issue
7293
Pages
1301-1306
ISSN
  • 0028-0836 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-4687
OpenAlex
W2121627664
Cited by
1,530
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 74 · 2025: 123 · 2024: 103 · 2023: 97 · 2022: 90 · 2021: 122 · 2020: 110 · 2019: 90 · 2018: 103 · 2017: 107 · 2016: 113 · 2015: 85 · 2014: 78 · 2013: 90 · 2012: 77
FWCI
40.06
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
  • Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Strong Light-Matter Interactions
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics › Quantum optics and atomic interactions
Keywords
Dicke model, quantum phase transitions, supersolid phase, Bose-Einstein condensate, optical resonators, light-matter interaction, long-range interactions, two-photon processes, spontaneous symmetry breaking, rubidium atoms, open quantum systems

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