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Physical Review A

Two-level system in a Gaussian field: An approximate solution

E. Bava, A. Godone, Carlo Novero, Héctor Oscar Di Rocco

Published Feb 1, 1992• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The problem of the evolution of a two-level quantum system in a radiation field of Gaussian shape with detuning is addressed by seeking an approximate expression for the transformation function governing the interaction. The transformation operator requires the evaluation of two independent matrix elements: the former is obtained by the Rosen-Zener conjecture; the latter is based on an expansion using the main parameters involved in the first one. The expressions obtained, which are supposed to hold in the case of small detunings, have been tested by comparison with a numerical integration. Then the solutions are modified to take into account decay phenomena to other levels. As a final example, the expressions dealing with the transition probability in the case of two separated oscillatory fields are given.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.45.1967

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The problem of the evolution of a two-level quantum system in a radiation field of Gaussian shape with detuning is addressed by seeking an approximate expression for the transformation function governing the interaction. The transformation operator requires the evaluation of two independent matrix elements: the former is obtained by the Rosen-Zener conjecture; the latter is based on an expansion using the main parameters involved in the first one. The expressions obtained, which are supposed to hold in the case of small detunings, have been tested by comparison with a numerical integration. Then the solutions are modified to take into account decay phenomena to other levels. As a final example, the expressions dealing with the transition probability in the case of two separated oscillatory fields are given.
The problem of calculating transition probabilities in two-level systems is studied in the limit where the detuning is large compared to the inverse duration of the interaction. Coupling potentials whose Fourier transforms $\stackrel{\ifmmode \tilde{}\else \~{}\fi{}}{V}(\ensuremath{\omega})$ are of the form $f(\ensuremath{\omega}){e}^{\ensuremath{-}(|b\ensuremath{\omega}|)}$ for large frequencies give rise to solutions which may be classified into families according to the form of $f(\ensuremath{\omega})$. Within each family transition probabilities may be calculated from formulas that differ only in the numerical value of a scaling parameter. In cases where the coupling function has a pole in the complex time plane, the families are identified with the order of this singularity. In particular, for poles of first order, a connection with the Rosen-Zener solution can be made. The analysis is performed via high-order perturbation expansions which are shown to always converge for two-level systems driven by coupling potentials of finite pulse area.
The problem of a two-level atom interacting with a radiation pulse is studied in the limit that the atom-field detuning times the pulse duration is much greater than unity. Owing to the large atom-field detuning, transitions result from nonadiabatic coupling of the states by the field. The transition probability for the atom to be excited following the pulse is studied as a function of field strength for five different pulse shapes: hyperbolic secant, Lorentzian, hyperbolic secant squared, Lorentzian squared, and Gaussian. It is shown that the behavior of the transition probability differs qualitatively for these pulses. An explanation of this qualitative difference is given in terms of the Massey parameter. Numerical solutions are compared with asymptotic solutions and several anomalies are noted. In the limit of large field strength, a universal expression for the transition probability is found. An interesting feature of the solutions is that, in the limit of very large field strengths, the transition probability for a Gaussian pulse can approach unity despite the fact that the pulse has an exponentially small Fourier amplitude at the atom-field detuning. This apparent violation of the energy-time uncertainty principle is explained in terms of the nonlinear atom-field interactions.
Previous results obtained for transition probabilities in two-level systems are simplified and generalised. It was shown in an earlier paper by Robinson (1984) that one could express the transition amplitude as the product of its first-order approximant and a factor which is determined by the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of a certain nonHermitian operator. In the present work, it is demonstrated that explicit knowledge of the eigenfunctions is not needed-it is sufficient to know the ensemble of eigenvalues. As an illustration, the transition probability induces by a Lorentzian pulse slightly detuned from resonance is calculated. Unlike most pulse shapes, which exhibit power broadening, it is found that the Lorentzian is neutral to first order in the detuning, and exhibits power narrowing when quadratic terms in the detuning are included.
The Schrodinger equation for the interaction of a decaying two-level atom with an external oscillating field is separated via a series of matrix transformations into a time independent and a time dependent part; the former yields the radiofrequency Stark shift for decaying states, the latter is normally negligible for atomic beam resonance experiments. In the limit of stable states, or for the case of two levels of equal lifetime, the shift reduces to that of the Bloch-Siegert effect. Exact analytical expressions for the state amplitudes are obtained for the case when the time dependent matrix can be neglected; the resulting transition probabilities are investigated as functions of frequency, time, and interaction strength and are compared with the rotating field theory and the exact numerical solutions.
We consider the time-dependent two-level problem of quantum mechanics, where the levels are coupled by a radio-frequency pulse with an arbitrary time-dependent envelope V(t)V(t)V(t). We derive an approximate solution for the system's transition amplitude $P(\ensuremath{\infty})$ which is correct to the third order of perturbation theory, and which applies to all pulses V(t)V(t)V(t) with finite first and second moments which obey the following: limt3V(t)=0\mathrm{lim} {t}^{3}V(t)=0limt3V(t)=0, as $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$. Our form of solution for $P(\ensuremath{\infty})$ provides a criterion for judging the validity of a solution previously conjectured by Rosen and Zener, and it is generally useful for providing line-shape details in many cases of practical interest.
The dynamics of the Rosen–Zener transition (RZT) in interacting two-level systems within nonreciprocal systems is examined, where nonreciprocity stems from asymmetric couplings between energy levels. For the linear case, an analytical expression for the RZT probability is derived. In the nonlinear scenario, numerical experiments are utilized to investigate the impact of various initial states and scanning periods on transition probabilities under adiabatic conditions . Additionally, an equivalent classical Hamiltonian is formulated to elucidate the origin of transition asymmetry under different initial state conditions. The influence of energy level detuning on the RZT is explored, leading to the suggestion of new applications for studying parameters of two-level systems related to nonlinearity and nonreciprocity. This opens avenues for potential Rosen–Zener–Stückelberg interferometry implementations.