Exploring Symmetry Breaking at the Dicke Quantum Phase Transition
Quantum Gases
2012-02-15 v2 Quantum Physics
Abstract
We study symmetry breaking at the Dicke quantum phase transition by coupling a motional degree of freedom of a Bose-Einstein condensate to the field of an optical cavity. Using an optical heterodyne detection scheme we observe symmetry breaking in real-time and distinguish the two superradiant phases. We explore the process of symmetry breaking in the presence of a small symmetry-breaking field, and study its dependence on the rate at which the critical point is crossed. Coherent switching between the two ordered phases is demonstrated.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1105.0426,
title = {Exploring Symmetry Breaking at the Dicke Quantum Phase Transition},
author = {K. Baumann and R. Mottl and F. Brennecke and T. Esslinger},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1105.0426},
year = {2012}
}
Comments
4 pages, 4 figures