Atomic pair-state interferometer: Controlling and measuring an interaction-induced phase shift in rydberg-atom pairs

Abstract

We present experiments measuring an interaction-induced phase shift of Rydberg atoms at Stark-tuned Förster resonances. The phase shift features a dispersive shape around the resonance, showing that the interaction strength and sign can be tuned coherently. We use a pair-state interferometer to measure the phase shift. Although the coupling between pair states is coherent on the time scale of the experiment, a loss of visibility occurs as a pair-state interferometer involves three simultaneously interfering paths and only one of them is phase shifted by the mutual interaction. Despite additional dephasing mechanisms, a pulsed Förster coupling sequence allows for observation of coherent dynamics around the Förster resonance.