Stochastic switching in Rydberg atomic ensemble

We demonstrated stochastic switching in a bistable system implemented with Rydberg atomic ensemble. The transition between the two states of the bistable system is driven by intensity noise of the laser beams. Rydberg atomic ensemble accumulates energy in an equilibrium situation and brings the nonlinear system across the threshold, where stochastic switching occurs between the two states. Measurement of Rydberg state’s population by means of the ladder-type electromagnetically-induced transparency approaching relevant Rydberg state allows us to investigate the nonlinear behavior in Rydberg atomic ensemble based bistable system experimentally.