Self-Organization

Atoms coupled to the standing wave mode of a cavity will self-organize for sufficiently strong transverse pumping due to the backaction of the collectively scattered light field on the atomic motion.[1] Self-organization is of particular interest for cavity-assisted cooling as it could be applied to any polarizable particle, including molecules. We have investigated self-organization for an thermal atoms, measuring the threshold scaling and considering the mechanical back action on the atomic ensemble.[2]

Self-Organization
References:
  1. [1] Domokos, P. Ritsch, H., Collective cooling and self-organization of atoms in a cavity. Physical Review Letters 89(25), 253003 (2002).
  2. [2] Arnold, K.J., Baden, M.P., Barrett, M.D. Self-organization threshold scaling for thermal atoms coupled to a cavity. Physical Review Letters 109(15), 153002 (2012).