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

Physical Review Letters

Photon statistics in resonance fluorescence: Results from an atomic-beam deflection experiment

Maarten D. Hoogerland, M. N. J. H. Wijnands, H. A. J. Senhorst, Herman C. W. Beijerinck, K. A. H. van Leeuwen

Published Sep 24, 1990• 14 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Photon-number statistics in resonance fluorescence is studied through the deflection of a beam of neon atoms in the metastable $^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{2}$ state by radiation pressure. An analysis of the deflection profile leads to experimental values for the Mandel Q parameter as a function of laser intensity and detuning for different laser polarizations. The results confirm the predicted predominantly sub-Poissonian statistics. Good agreement is demonstrated with the results of a Monte Carlo calculation based on a pure-state analysis of resonance fluorescence.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.65.1559

Related papers

Experimental study of sub-Poissonian statistics in the transfer of momentum from light to atoms

Bruce G. Oldaker, Peter J. Martin, P. L. Gould +2 more

We have studied the statistics of the absorption of photons by atoms by measuring the momentum distribution of an atomic beam that is deflected by a laser beam. We observe the transition from a Poissonian to a sub-Poissonian distribution, as we vary the detuning of the laser. The largest observed fractional deviation of the variance from Poissonian statistics is Q=-0.51\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05, in agreement with theoretical predictions for our experimental conditions.

Physical Review Letters•Sep 24, 1990•16 citations

Quantitative analysis of the deflection of a sodium beam by laser radiation

Bernardo Jaduszliwer, GF Shen, Benjamin B. Bederson

We have performed experimental and theoretical studies of the deflection of a sodium atomic beam by a laser tuned to the 3 ${\mathrm{}}^{2}$${S}_{1/2}$,F=2--3 ${\mathrm{}}^{2}$${P}_{3/2}$,F=3 transition. The intensity profile of the deflected beam was measured at different laser power levels and for different laser polarizations. Calculations using a constant force derived from a two-level atom yield deflections which are too large. The results of more realistic simulation calculations agree very well with the measured deflection. Those calculations incorporate the atomic-beam spatial and velocity distributions as well as the laser frequency distribution and polarization state. Optical pumping, loss of atoms to the nonresonant F=1 ground state, and Doppler shifting of the atoms out of resonance are all considered, as also are the statistics and angular distributions of the spontaneous photons.

Physical Review A•Jun 1, 1986•7 citations

Conditions for sub-poissonian photon statistics in phase-conjugated resonance fluorescence

Henk F. Arnoldus, Thomas F. George

Abstract Photon correlations and statistics of phase-conjugated resonance fluorescence of a two-state atom are considered. The Q -factor, as a function of the incident laser power, the detuning, the laser linewidth and the phase-conjugate reflectivity, have been calculated. It is shown that for small and large reflectivity the statistics is predominantly sub-poissonian. For unit reflectivity the statistics appears to be exactly poissonian ( Q = 0) for all values of the optical parameters.

NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N•Sep 1, 1991•0 citations

Monoenergetic atomic beam deflection by resonant light pressure

Yuzhu Wang

We have calculated the deflections of nearly monoenergetic atomic beams under resonant laser light pressure. These deflection experiments may be used to analyze the velocity distributions in atomic beams, to measure the lifetimes of excited states of atoms, and to verify the theory of photon statistics.

Acta Physica Sinica•Apr 1, 1983•1 citation

Sub-poissonian statistics of fluorescence from a single atom driven by a continuous wave laser field

Игорь Сергеевич Осадько

Statistics of fluorescence photons emitted by a single two-level atom interacting with a continuous wave laser field are analyzed. The photon-counting distribution is calculated for the so-called intermediate fluorescence photons, i.e., those counted during the time interval between instants at which photons are emitted. The result is a sub-Poissonian (narrower than Poisson) distribution, which agrees with experimental observations. This intermediate-photon distribution is used to calculate the average number of fluorescence photons, the second factorial moment of the photon-counting distribution, and Mandel’s Q parameter commonly used to evaluate the deviation of photon statistics from the Poisson distribution. The theoretical expressions obtained for moments of the intermediate-photon distribution are different from well-known Mandel’s formulas.

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical Physics•Jul 1, 2005•14 citations

Sub-Poissonian photon statistics in time-dependent collective resonance fluorescence

Vladimír Bužek, Tran Quang, L. H. Lan

We have discussed the photon statistics of the spectral components of N-atom time-dependent resonance fluorescence. It is shown that in contrast to the stationary limit, sub-Poissonian photon statistics in the sidebands occur for any number N of atoms including the case N\ensuremath{\gg}1. Reduction in Mandel's parameters ${\mathit{Q}}_{+1}$ is found with increasing numbers of atoms. The typical time for the presence of sub-Poissonian statistics is proportional to 1/N.

Physical Review A•Jun 1, 1990•14 citations
Photon-number statistics in resonance fluorescence is studied through the deflection of a beam of neon atoms in the metastable ^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{2} state by radiation pressure. An analysis of the deflection profile leads to experimental values for the Mandel Q parameter as a function of laser intensity and detuning for different laser polarizations. The results confirm the predicted predominantly sub-Poissonian statistics. Good agreement is demonstrated with the results of a Monte Carlo calculation based on a pure-state analysis of resonance fluorescence.
We have performed experimental and theoretical studies of the deflection of a sodium atomic beam by a laser tuned to the 3 2{\mathrm{}}^{2}2S1/2{S}_{1/2}S1/2​,F=2--3 2{\mathrm{}}^{2}2P3/2{P}_{3/2}P3/2​,F=3 transition. The intensity profile of the deflected beam was measured at different laser power levels and for different laser polarizations. Calculations using a constant force derived from a two-level atom yield deflections which are too large. The results of more realistic simulation calculations agree very well with the measured deflection. Those calculations incorporate the atomic-beam spatial and velocity distributions as well as the laser frequency distribution and polarization state. Optical pumping, loss of atoms to the nonresonant F=1 ground state, and Doppler shifting of the atoms out of resonance are all considered, as also are the statistics and angular distributions of the spontaneous photons.
Statistics of fluorescence photons emitted by a single two-level atom interacting with a continuous wave laser field are analyzed. The photon-counting distribution is calculated for the so-called intermediate fluorescence photons, i.e., those counted during the time interval between instants at which photons are emitted. The result is a sub-Poissonian (narrower than Poisson) distribution, which agrees with experimental observations. This intermediate-photon distribution is used to calculate the average number of fluorescence photons, the second factorial moment of the photon-counting distribution, and Mandel’s Q parameter commonly used to evaluate the deviation of photon statistics from the Poisson distribution. The theoretical expressions obtained for moments of the intermediate-photon distribution are different from well-known Mandel’s formulas.
We have discussed the photon statistics of the spectral components of N-atom time-dependent resonance fluorescence. It is shown that in contrast to the stationary limit, sub-Poissonian photon statistics in the sidebands occur for any number N of atoms including the case N\ensuremath{\gg}1. Reduction in Mandel's parameters Q+1{\mathit{Q}}_{+1}Q+1​ is found with increasing numbers of atoms. The typical time for the presence of sub-Poissonian statistics is proportional to 1/N.