Raman superradiance and spin lattice of ultracold atoms in optical cavities

Abstract

We investigate synthesis of a hyperfine spin lattice in an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate, with two hyperfine spin components, inside a one-dimensional high-finesse optical cavity, using off-resonant superradiant Raman scattering. Spatio-temporal evolution of the relative population of the hyperfine spin modes is examined numerically by solving the coupled cavity-condensate mean field equations in the dispersive regime. We find, analytically and numerically, that beyond a certain threshold of the transverse laser pump, Raman superradiance and self-organization of the hyperfine spin components simultaneously occur and as a result a magnetic lattice is formed. The effects of an extra laser pump parallel to the cavity axis and the time-dependence of the pump strength on the synthesis of a sharper lattice are also addressed.

Accepted for publication in New Journal of Physics. 16 pages and 6 figures