Collective quantum jumps of Rydberg atoms.
We study an open quantum system of atoms with a long-range Rydberg interaction, laser driving, and spontaneous emission. Over time, the system occasionally jumps between a state of low Rydberg population and a state of high Rydberg population. The jumps are inherently collective, and in fact, exist only for a large number of atoms. We explain how entanglement and quantum measurement enable the jumps, which are otherwise classically forbidden.
Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
Tony E
TE
Lee
H
H
Häffner
M C
MC
Cross