arXiv:1603.05242 · Physical Review A
Variational study of λ and N atomic configurations interacting with an electromagnetic field of two modes
Sergio Cordero, Octavio Castaños, Ramón López–Peña, Eduardo Nahmad-Achar
Abstract
A study of the $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ and $N$ atomic configurations under dipolar interaction with two modes of electromagnetic radiation is presented. The corresponding quantum phase diagrams are obtained by means of a variational procedure. Both configurations exhibit normal and collective (super-radiant) regimes. While the latter in the $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ configuration divides itself into two subregions, corresponding to each of the modes, that in the $N$ configuration may be divided into two or three subregions depending on whether the field modes divide the atomic system into two separate subsystems or not. Our variational procedure compares well with the exact quantum solution. The properties of the relevant field and matter observables are obtained.