Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2604.05823 · Physical Review A

Deviations from thermal light statistics in ensembles of independent two-level emitters

Manuel Bojer, André Cidrim, Romain Bachelard, Joachim von Zanthier

quant-phSubmitted Apr 7, 2026• Announced Apr 8, 2026• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We investigate the light statistics of an ensemble of independent motionless two-level atoms in a product state. We identify the conditions under which the cold atomic ensemble emits thermal light statistics characterized by the Gaussian Moment Theorem. For the theorem to hold, we derive for each correlation order two conditions on the atom number and the ratio of coherent to incoherent light emission. We further discuss their validity for atoms either in a pure or mixed state. Our results contribute to the understanding of the generation of thermal light by two-level atoms without interactions among the emitters.

Related papers

Light Statistics from Large Ensembles of Independent Two-level Emitters: Classical or Non-classical?

Manuel Bojer, A. Cidrim, P. P. Abrantes +2 more

We investigate the photon statistics of an ensemble of coherently driven non-interacting two-level atoms in the weak driving regime. As it turns out, the system displays unique emission characteristics that are strongly in contrast to the emission of classical oscillating dipoles. By deriving the second-order autocorrelation function, we show that extraordinary two-photon correlations are obtained, ranging from strong antibunching to superbunching. These features are enhanced by disorder in the emitter positions, and the control parameter is the number of excitations in the system. We observe the appearance of bunching and antibunching when the light is scattered by the atoms predominantly coherently, i.e., mimicking classical Rayleigh scattering, whereas thermal photon statistics is obtained when the light is scattered via spontaneous decay, a well-known quantum effect. The underlying mechanism is the interplay between coherent scattering, which exhibits spatial fluctuations due to interference, and dissipation in the form of isotropic spontaneous decay.

arXiv:2411.17377•Nov 26, 2024•0 citations

Light statistics from large ensembles of independent two-level emitters: Classical and nonclassical effects

Manuel Bojer, A. Cidrim, P. P. Abrantes +2 more

The authors investigate the photon statistics of an ensemble of coherently driven noninteracting two-level atoms in the weakly driven regime. They find emission characteristics that are strongly in contrast to the emission of classical oscillating dipoles, ranging from strong antibunching to superbunching.

Physical Review A•Oct 20, 2025•3 citations

Non-Gaussian correlations in the steady-state of driven-dissipative clouds of two-level atoms

Giovanni Ferioli, Sara Pancaldi, Antoine Glicenstein +3 more

We report experimental measurements of the second-order coherence function $g^{(2)}(τ)$ of the light emitted by a laser-driven dense ensemble of $^{87}$Rb atoms. We observe a clear departure from the Siegert relation valid for Gaussian chaotic light. Measuring intensity and first-order coherence, we conclude that the violation is not due to the emergence of a coherent field. This indicates that the light obeys non-Gaussian statistics, stemming from non-Gaussian correlations in the atomic medium. More specifically, the steady-state of this driven-dissipative many-body system sustains high-order correlations in the absence of first-order coherence. These findings call for new theoretical and experimental explorations to uncover their origin and they open new perspectives for the realization of non-Gaussian states of light.

arXiv:2311.13503•Nov 22, 2023•0 citations

Directional Superradiant Emission from Statistically Independent Incoherent Nonclassical and Classical Sources

S. Oppel, Ralph Wiegner, G. S. Agarwal +1 more

Superradiance has been an outstanding problem in quantum optics since Dicke introduced the concept of enhanced directional spontaneous emission by an ensemble of identical two-level atoms. The effect is based on the correlated collective Dicke states which turn out to be highly entangled. Here we show that enhanced directional emission of spontaneous radiation can be produced also with statistically independent incoherent sources, via the measurement of higher-order correlation functions of the emitted radiation. Our analysis is applicable to a wide variety of quantum emitters, like trapped atoms, ions, quantum dots, or nitrogen-vacancy centers, and is also valid for incoherent classical emitters. This is experimentally confirmed with up to eight statistically independent thermal light sources. The arrangement to measure the higher-order correlation functions corresponds to a generalized Hanbury Brown-Twiss setup, demonstrating that the two phenomena, superradiance and the Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect, stem from the same interference phenomenon.

arXiv:1403.6284•Physical Review Letters•Dec 30, 2014•61 citations

Tuning of Quantum Correlations in Light Scattering around the Resonance of an Ensemble of Cold Two-Level Atoms

G. C. Borges, A. A. C. de Almeida, W. Martins +2 more

We report the statistics of photon pairs generated via spontaneous four-wave mixing from an ensemble of two-level cold atoms in a low detuning regime and, consequently, the influence of optical depth (OD) on this regime.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2024•0 citations

Quantum coherence and correlations of optical radiation by atomic ensembles interacting with a two-level atom in a microwave cavity

Özgür Esat Müstecaplıoğlu

We examine quantum statistics of optical photons emitted from atomic ensembles which are classically driven and simultaneously coupled to a two-level atom via microwave photon exchange. Quantum statistics and correlations are analyzed by calculating second-order coherence degree, von Neumann entropy, spin squeezing for multiparticle entanglement, as well as genuine two- and three-mode entanglement parameters for steady-state and nonequilibrium situations. Coherent transfer of population between the radiation modes and quantum-state mapping between the two-level atom and the optical modes are discussed. A potential experimental realization of the theoretical results in a superconducting coplanar waveguide resonator containing diamond crystals with nitrogen-vacancy color centers and a superconducting artificial two-level atom is discussed.

arXiv:1007.4867•Physical Review A•Feb 9, 2011•9 citations
We investigate the light statistics of an ensemble of independent motionless two-level atoms in a product state. We identify the conditions under which the cold atomic ensemble emits thermal light statistics characterized by the Gaussian Moment Theorem. For the theorem to hold, we derive for each correlation order two conditions on the atom number and the ratio of coherent to incoherent light emission. We further discuss their validity for atoms either in a pure or mixed state. Our results contribute to the understanding of the generation of thermal light by two-level atoms without interactions among the emitters.
We investigate the photon statistics of an ensemble of coherently driven non-interacting two-level atoms in the weak driving regime. As it turns out, the system displays unique emission characteristics that are strongly in contrast to the emission of classical oscillating dipoles. By deriving the second-order autocorrelation function, we show that extraordinary two-photon correlations are obtained, ranging from strong antibunching to superbunching. These features are enhanced by disorder in the emitter positions, and the control parameter is the number of excitations in the system. We observe the appearance of bunching and antibunching when the light is scattered by the atoms predominantly coherently, i.e., mimicking classical Rayleigh scattering, whereas thermal photon statistics is obtained when the light is scattered via spontaneous decay, a well-known quantum effect. The underlying mechanism is the interplay between coherent scattering, which exhibits spatial fluctuations due to interference, and dissipation in the form of isotropic spontaneous decay.
We report experimental measurements of the second-order coherence function g(2)(τ)g^{(2)}(τ)g(2)(τ) of the light emitted by a laser-driven dense ensemble of 87^{87}87Rb atoms. We observe a clear departure from the Siegert relation valid for Gaussian chaotic light. Measuring intensity and first-order coherence, we conclude that the violation is not due to the emergence of a coherent field. This indicates that the light obeys non-Gaussian statistics, stemming from non-Gaussian correlations in the atomic medium. More specifically, the steady-state of this driven-dissipative many-body system sustains high-order correlations in the absence of first-order coherence. These findings call for new theoretical and experimental explorations to uncover their origin and they open new perspectives for the realization of non-Gaussian states of light.
Superradiance has been an outstanding problem in quantum optics since Dicke introduced the concept of enhanced directional spontaneous emission by an ensemble of identical two-level atoms. The effect is based on the correlated collective Dicke states which turn out to be highly entangled. Here we show that enhanced directional emission of spontaneous radiation can be produced also with statistically independent incoherent sources, via the measurement of higher-order correlation functions of the emitted radiation. Our analysis is applicable to a wide variety of quantum emitters, like trapped atoms, ions, quantum dots, or nitrogen-vacancy centers, and is also valid for incoherent classical emitters. This is experimentally confirmed with up to eight statistically independent thermal light sources. The arrangement to measure the higher-order correlation functions corresponds to a generalized Hanbury Brown-Twiss setup, demonstrating that the two phenomena, superradiance and the Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect, stem from the same interference phenomenon.
We examine quantum statistics of optical photons emitted from atomic ensembles which are classically driven and simultaneously coupled to a two-level atom via microwave photon exchange. Quantum statistics and correlations are analyzed by calculating second-order coherence degree, von Neumann entropy, spin squeezing for multiparticle entanglement, as well as genuine two- and three-mode entanglement parameters for steady-state and nonequilibrium situations. Coherent transfer of population between the radiation modes and quantum-state mapping between the two-level atom and the optical modes are discussed. A potential experimental realization of the theoretical results in a superconducting coplanar waveguide resonator containing diamond crystals with nitrogen-vacancy color centers and a superconducting artificial two-level atom is discussed.