Light-Induced Crystallization of Cold Atoms in a 1D Optical Trap

Collective off-resonant scattering of coherent light by a cold gas induces long-range interactions via interference of light scattered by different particles. In a 1D configuration, these interactions grow particularly strong by coupling the particles via an optical nanofiber. Above a threshold pump laser intensity, we predict a phase transition from a homogeneous density to a self-sustained crystalline order. In the dispersive regime, we determine the critical condition for the onset of order as well as the forms of gas density and electric field patterns above threshold. Surprisingly, there can coexist multiple ordered states with distinct appearances.