A supersolid droplet crystal with Rydberg atoms

Guido Pupillo

University of Innsbruck, Institute for Theoretical Physics, Innsbruck, Austria

We discuss novel quantum and classical phases that can be realized with groundstate alkali atoms weakly dressed by highly-excited Rydberg states. Using exact numerical techniques, for atoms in the Rydberg-blockade regime we find a novel phase consisting of a crystal of mesoscopic superfluid droplets. At low temperature, phase coherence throughout the whole system, and the ensuing bulk superfluidity, are established through tunneling of identical particles between neighboring droplets, realizing a supersolid in free space.

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