Observation of electric field induced superradiance slowdown in ultracold Rydberg atomic gases

Atoms excited to electronically high-lying Rydberg states decay to low-energy states through spontaneous emission processes. We investigate the impact of a static electric field on the super radiant emission process between Rydberg 60D512) and 61P312) states in an ultracold Cesium Rydberg atom ensemble. We report experimental observations of a significant slowdown in super radiance upon applying an electric field. To understand the slowing down of super radiance, we employ a master equation in which Stark effects and collective decay are taken into account. We solve the master equation with the discrete truncated Wigner approximation (DTWA) method. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that super radiance decoherence is caused by the Stark shifts of the Rydberg level. Our theoretical simulations qualitatively match the experimental observations. Our work provides new insights into controlling quantum critical behaviors, with implications for quantum many-body dynamics, and the study of quantum phase transitions. Published by Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.