All-optical control of superradiance and matter waves using a dispersive cavity

Abstract: Cavity quantum electrodynamics (CQED) plays an elegant role of studying strong coupling between light and matter. However, a non-mechanical, direct and dynamical control of the used mirrors is still unavailable. Here we theoretically investigate a novel type of dynamically controllable cavity composed of two atomic mirrors. Based on the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), the reflectance of atomic mirror is highly controllable through its dispersive properties by varying the intensity of applied coupling fields or the optical depth of atomic media. To demonstrate the uniqueness of the present cavity, we further show the possibility of manipulating vacuum-induced diffraction of a binary Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) when loading it into a dispersive cavity and experiencing superradiant scatterings. Our results may provide a novel all-optical element for atom optics and shine new light on controlling light-matter interaction.