Mainz 2026 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

MO: Fachverband Molekülphysik

MO 3: Collisions, Scattering and Correlation Phenomena I (joint session A/MO)

MO 3.2: Talk

Monday, March 2, 2026, 12:00–12:15, N 2

Light scattering experiments in dense dipolar gases — •Ishan Varma, Marvin Proske, Rhutwik Sriranga, Dimitra Cristea, and Patrick Windpassinger — Staudingerweg 7, Institute of Physics, JGU Mainz

In ultracold atomic ensembles where interatomic spacing is smaller than the wavelength of scattered light, direct matter-matter coupling through electric and magnetic interactions significantly influence system dynamics, challenging the approximation of atoms as independent emitters. We study the role of magnetic dipole-dipole interactions (DDI) in the cooperative behavior of atomic ensembles using dysprosium, which has the highest ground-state magnetic moment (10 Bohr magnetons).

This talk focusses on the recently performed light scattering experiments in moderately-dense samples of ultracold dysprosium atoms. We study the scattering properties of the sample with respect to frequency detuning from resonance, optical depth, and external magnetic field. A detailed analysis of the fluorescence signal reveals first indications of super- and sub-radiance, which suggest cooperative behavior in the system. In addition, we also discuss the impact of optical dipole trap polarization on atomic lifetime and highlight the recent technical advancements made in vacuum technology and the design of microscope objectives. These developments enable a higher degree of control and accessibility of the atomic sample.

Keywords: superradiance; subradiance; dysprosium; collective