Van der Waals interaction potential between Rydberg atoms near surfaces

摘要

Van der Waals interactions, as a result of the exchange of photons betweenparticles, can be altered by modifying the environment through which thesephotons propagate. As a consequence, phenomena such as the Rydberg blockademechanism between highly excited atoms or excitons, can be controlled by addingreflecting surfaces. We provide the quantum electrodynamic framework for thevan der Waals interaction in the nonretarded limit that is relevant forlong-wavelength transitions such as those between Rydberg systems, and show itsintimate connection with common static dipole-dipole interactions, therebyproviding a generalization to include macroscopic bodies.