Exploring the physics of polaritons with ultracold matter waves

Ultracold atoms in state-selective optical lattices offer a unique platform for the study of quantum optical phenomena in which atoms and light switch their roles of emitters and radiation [1]. Our group has recently extended this platform to allow for the study of polaritonic condensed-matter phenomena described by a combination of the Bose-Hubbard and the Weisskopf-Wigner models. We review our group’s recent experimental and theoretical studies [2,3] of the formation of matter-wave polaritons, and report new results of collective radiative decay and emission dynamics from an excitonic phase. Ongoing efforts and future directions will be discussed.

[1] L. Krinner, M. Stewart, A. Pazmino, J. Kwon, D. Schneble, “Spontaneous emission of matter-waves from a tunable open quantum system”, Nature 559, 589 (2018).

[2] J. Kwon, Y. Kim, A. Lanuza, D. Schneble, “Formation of matter-wave polaritons in an optical lattice”, Nat. Phys. 18, 657-661 (2022).

[3] A. Lanuza, J. Kwon, Y. Kim, D. Schneble, “Multiband and array effects in matter-wave-based waveguide QED”, Phys. Rev. A 105, 023703 (2022).