We investigate here the characteristics of energy resonant dipole-dipole interactions between Rydberg atoms in Magneto-Optical Trap. These resonant processes occur in a kinetic energy regime in which the atoms may be considered stationary over the time scale of the experiment. Coupled with the long range of the interactions considered, this leads to multi-atom interactions becoming non-negligible. A simple model is outlined to provide insight into the effects of these multi-atom interactions which lead to some interesting behaviors. Experiments which examine the broadening of the dipole-dipole resonances and observe the time dependence of the interaction signal are discussed. Examination of adiabatic character of population transfer caused by slewing across the resonance is discussed in another experiment, as is the scaling behavior of the resonance linewidths and on-resonant signal growth rates. We end by discussing an experiment which takes advantage of some of the characteristics of these interactions to measure the tensor polarizability of Rydberg states of Rb.

This volume continues the tradition of the Advances series. It contains contributions from experts in the field of atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics. The articles contain some review material, but are intended to provide a comprehensive picture of recent important developments in AMO physics. Both theoretical and experimental articles are included in the volume. - International experts - Comprehensive articles - New developments

Arising from a workshop, this book surveys the physics of ultracold atoms and molecules taking into consideration the latest research on ultracold phenomena, such as Bose Einstein condensation and quantum computing. Several reputed authors provide an introduction to the field, covering recent experimental results on atom and molecule cooling as well as the theoretical treatment.

This thesis describes the first demonstration of a cooperative optical non-linearity based on Rydberg excitation. Whereas in conventional non-linear optics the non-linearity arises directly from the interaction between light and matter, in a cooperative process it is mediated by dipole-dipole interactions between light-induced excitations. For excitation to high Rydberg states where the electron is only weakly bound, the dipole-dipole interactions are extremely large and long range, enabling an enormous enhancement of the non-linear effect. Consequently, cooperative non-linear optics using Rydberg excitations opens a new era for quantum optics enabling large single photon non-linearity to be accessible in free space for the first time. The thesis describes the theoretical underpinnings of the non- linear effect, the pioneering experimental results and implications for experiments in the single photon regime.

This book is a collection of articles on the contemporary status of quantum mechanics, dedicated to the fundamental issues of entanglement, decoherence, irreversibility, information processing, and control of quantum evolution, with a view of possible applications. It has multidisciplinary character and is addressed at a broad readership in physics, computer science, chemistry, and electrical engineering. It is written by the world-leading experts in pertinent fields such as quantum computing, atomic, molecular and optical physics, condensed matter physics, and statistical physics.

'Elements of Quantum Information' introduces the reader to the fascinating field of quantum information processing, which lives on the interface between computer science, physics, mathematics, and engineering. This interdisciplinary branch of science thrives on the use of quantum mechanics as a resource for high potential modern applications. With its wide coverage of experiments, applications, and specialized topics - all written by renowned experts - 'Elements of Quantum Information' provides an indispensable up-to-date account of the state of the art of this rapidly advancing field and takes the reader straight up to the frontiers of current research. The articles have first appeared as a special issue of the journal 'Fortschritte der Physik/Progress of Physics'. Since then, they have been carefully updated. The book will be an inspiring source of information and insight for anyone researching and specializing in experiments and theory of quantum information.