Cooperative Interactions in Lattices of Atomic Dipoles

This thesis reports the remarkable discovery that, by arranging the dipoles in an ordered array with particular spacings, it is possible to greatly enhance the cross-section and achieve a strong light-matter coupling (>98% of the incident light). It also discusses the broad background to cooperative behaviour in atomic ensembles, and analyses in detail effects in one- and two-dimensional atomic arrays. In general, when light interacts with matter it excites electric dipoles and since the nineteenth century it has been known that if the amplitude of these induced dipoles is sufficiently large, and their distance apart is on the scale of the wavelength of the light, then their mutual interaction significantly modifies the light-matter interaction. However, it was not known how to exploit this effect to modify the light-matter interaction in a desirable way, for example in order to enhance the optical cross-section.

This thesis reports the remarkable discovery that, by arranging the dipoles in an ordered array with particular spacings, it is possible to greatly enhance the cross-section and achieve a strong light-matter coupling (>98% of the incident light). It also discusses the broad background to cooperative behaviour in atomic ensembles, and analyses in detail effects in one- and two-dimensional atomic arrays. In general, when light interacts with matter it excites electric dipoles and since the nineteenth century it has been known that if the amplitude of these induced dipoles is sufficiently large, and their distance apart is on the scale of the wavelength of the light, then their mutual interaction significantly modifies the light–matter interaction. However, it was not known how to exploit this effect to modify the light–matter interaction in a desirable way, for example in order to enhance the optical cross-section.

Introduction.- Part I Interacting Dipole Theory.- Single Two-Level Atom.- Multiple Four-Level Atoms.- Observables.- Part II Cooperative Behaviour in One-Dimensional Arrays.- Two Atoms.-  One-Dimensional Atom Array.- Part III Cooperative Behaviour in Two-Dimensional Arrays.- Eigenmodes in a Two-Dimensional Atomic Monolayer.- Extinction in a Two-Dimensional Atomic Monolayer.- Conclusions and Outlook.