Atoms Dressed by Virtual and Real Photons

Year: 2024

Authors: Allegrini M., Arimondo E.

Autors Affiliation: Univ Pisa, Dipartimento Fis E Fermi, Largo B Pontecorvo 3, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Consiglio Nazl Ric NANO CNR, Ist Nanosci, I-56127 Pisa, Italy; Ist Nazl Ottica INO CNR, Sede Secondaria Pisa, Via G Moruzzi 1, I-56124 Pisa, Italy.

Abstract: Specific properties of quantum field theory are described by considering the combination of the system under investigation and the cloud of virtual or real particles associated with the field. Such a structure is called a dressed system, in contrast with the bare one in the absence of the interaction with the field. The description of the properties of such clouds in various physical situations is, today, an active research area. Here, we present the main features associated with virtual and real dressings, focusing on photon dressing. In analogy to virtual photon clouds dressing electrons in vacuum, virtual phonon clouds appear in solid-state physics. The interaction between real photons and the schematized two-level structure of an atom paves the way to flexible quantum control. Here, a unifying Floquet engineering approach is applied to describe single- and multiple-dressed atom configurations. Connections with the past and present atomic physics experiments are presented.

Journal/Review: PHYSICS

Volume: 6 (1)      Pages from: 60  to: 74

More Information: This review on extending the concept of dressed atoms, including multiple dressing, is dedicated to the late Franco Persico. His pioneering contribution to the physics of atoms dressed by the vacuum electromagnetic field has been internationally acknowledged. Although we did not personally know this eminent theoretical physicist from the University of Palermo, we have shared some of his research interests, such as polarons in solid-state physics, and have greatly appreciated his contributions to the field of dressed atoms. We add that we learned about Persico’s personality and human qualities from Adriano Gozzini and Franco Bassani, who often visited him. A sign of Persico’s exquisite kindness is that after A. Gozzini’s passing in 1994, Persico continued to bring flowers to his grave every time he was visiting Pisa.
KeyWords: dressed atom; multiple dressing; virtual and real photons
DOI: 10.3390/physics6010005

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