Rydberg molecules bound by strong light fields

Abstract

The coupling of an isolated quantum state to a continuum is typically associated with decoherence and decreased lifetime. Here, we demonstrate that Rydberg macrodimers, weakly bound pairs of Rydberg atoms, can overcome this dissipative mechanism and instead form bound states with the continuum of free motional states. This is enabled by the unique combination of extraordinarily slow vibrational motion in the molecular state and the optical coupling to a non-interacting continuum. Under conditions of strong coupling, we observe the emergence of distinct resonances and explain them within a Fano model. For atoms arranged on a lattice, we predict the strong continuum coupling to even stabilize molecules consisting of more than two atoms and find first signatures of these by observing atom loss correlations using a quantum gas microscope. Our results present an intriguing mechanism to control decoherence and bind multiatomic molecules using strong light-matter interactions.