We go beyond the approximate series-expansions used in the dispersion theory of finite size atoms. We demonstrate that a correct, and non-perturbative, theory dramatically alters the dispersion selfenergies of atoms. The non-perturbed theory gives as much as 100% corrections compared to the traditional series expanded theory for the smaller noble gas atoms.
Two-loop self-energy corrections to the bound-electron $g$ factor are investigated theoretically to all orders in the nuclear binding strength parameter $Zalpha$. The separation of divergences is performed by dimensional regularization, and the contributing diagrams are regrouped into specific categories to yield finite results. We evaluate numerically the loop-after-loop terms, and the remaining diagrams by treating the Coulomb interaction in the electron propagators up to first order. The results show that such two-loop terms are mandatory to take into account for projected near-future stringent tests of quantum electrodynamics and for the determination of fundamental constants through the $g$ factor.
The Einstein Equivalence Principle (EEP) has a central role in the understanding of gravity and space-time. In its weak form, or Weak Equivalence Principle (WEP), it directly implies equivalence between inertial and gravitational mass. Verifying this principle in a regime where the relevant properties of the test body must be described by quantum theory has profound implications. Here we report on a novel WEP test for atoms. A Bragg atom interferometer in a gravity gradiometer configuration compares the free fall of rubidium atoms prepared in two hyperfine states and in their coherent superposition. The use of the superposition state allows testing genuine quantum aspects of EEP with no classical analogue, which have remained completely unexplored so far. In addition, we measure the Eotvos ratio of atoms in two hyperfine levels with relative uncertainty in the low $10^{-9}$, improving previous results by almost two orders of magnitude.
The many-body-theory approach to positronium-atom interactions developed in [Phys. Rev. Lett. textbf{120}, 183402 (2018)] is applied to the sequence of noble-gas atoms He-Xe. The Dyson equation is solved separately for an electron and positron moving in the field of the atom, with the entire system enclosed in a hard-wall spherical cavity. The two-particle Dyson equation is solved to give the energies and wave functions of the Ps eigenstates in the cavity. From these, we determine the scattering phase shifts and cross sections, and values of the pickoff annihilation parameter $^1Z_text{eff}$ including short-range electron-positron correlations via vertex enhancement factors. Comparisons are made with available experimental data for elastic and momentum-transfer cross sections and $^1Z_text{eff}$. Values of $^1Z_text{eff}$ for He and Ne, previously reported in [Phys. Rev. Lett. textbf{120}, 183402 (2018)], are found to be in near-perfect agreement with experiment, and for Ar, Kr, and Xe within a factor of 1.2.
We investigated non-equilibrium atomic dynamics in a moving optical lattice via observation of atomic resonance fluorescence spectrum. A three-dimensional optical lattice was generated in a phase-stabilized magneto-optical trap (MOT) and the lattice was made to move by introducing a detuning between the counter-propagating trap lasers. A non-equilibrium steady states (NESSs) of atoms was then established in the hybrid of the moving optical lattice and the surrounding MOT. A part of atoms were localized and transported in the moving optical lattice and the rest were not localized in the lattice while trapped as a cold gas in the MOT. These motional states coexisted with continuous transition between them. As the speed of the lattice increased, the population of the non-localized state increased in a stepwise fashion due to the existence of bound states at the local minima of the lattice potential. A deterministic rate-equation model for atomic populations in those motional states was introduced in order to explain the experimental results. The model calculations then well reproduced the key features of the experimental observations, confirming the existence of an NESS in the cold atom system.
We experimentally investigate the back-scattering properties of an array of atoms that is evanescently coupled to an optical nanofiber in the strongly non-paraxial regime. We observe that the power and the polarization of the back-scattered light depend on the nanofiber-guided excitation field in a way that significantly deviates from the predictions of a simple model based on two-level atoms and a scalar waveguide. Even though it has been widely used in previous experimental and theoretical studies of waveguide-coupled quantum emitters, this simple model is thus in general not adequate even for a qualitative description of such systems. We develop an ab initio model which includes the multi-level structure of the atoms and the full vectorial properties of the guided field and find very good agreement with our data.