Title: Linear-zigzag transition in an optical cavity Speaker: Cecilia Cormick Universität Saarbrücken, Germany Time: Thursday, December 8th, 15.15 to 16.00 Place: Aud. G2 (1532) Abstract: We study the dynamics of a chain of ultracold ions in a pumped standing-wave optical resonator, in the regime in which a dipolar transition of the ions couples with a cavity mode. In this scenario the ions' motion is determined by the trapping potential, the Coulomb repulsion, and the quantum potential of the cavity field. In particular, we focus on the case when the chain is close to the linear-zigzag structural transition. We first consider the limit in which the cavity field represents a negligible perturbation to the motion of the ions, and study how to obtain information about the structure and dynamics of the ion chain by measuring the light at the cavity output. We then analyze the behaviour when the back-action of the cavity field on the ions' dynamics cannot be neglected. Jacob Sherson and Aurélien Dantan Coffee, tea and cake will be served at 15.05 ----------------------------------- Aurelien Dantan Ion Trap Group Department of Physics and Astronomy University of Aarhus Ny Munkegade, bygn. 1520 8000 Aarhus Denmark +4589423602