Fermionic superradiance in a transversely pumped optical cavity

Phys Rev Lett. 2014 Apr 11;112(14):143002. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.143002. Epub 2014 Apr 8.

Abstract

Following the experimental realization of Dicke superradiance in Bose gases coupled to cavity light fields, we investigate the behavior of ultracold fermions in a transversely pumped cavity. We focus on the equilibrium phase diagram of spinless fermions coupled to a single cavity mode and establish a zero temperature transition to a superradiant state. In contrast to the bosonic case, Pauli blocking leads to lattice commensuration effects that influence self-organization in the cavity light field. This includes a sequence of discontinuous transitions with increasing atomic density and tricritical superradiance. We discuss the implications for experiment.