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

Physica Scripta

The one-atom maser and the test of quantum electrodynamics

Gerhard Rempe, HERBERT WALTHER

Published Jul 1, 1987• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Experiments performed with the single-atom maser are described. The theory of the interaction of a single atom with a single electromagnetic mode of a resonant cavity is tested and the predicted dynamics such as collapse and revival of the Rabi nutation is observed.
DOI
10.1088/0031-8949/36/1/022

Related papers

The Single Atom Maser and the Quantum Electrodynamics in a Cavity

HERBERT WALTHER

Experiments on the interaction of a single atom with a single mode of a resonant electromagnetic field in a cavity are reviewed. The atoms used in these experiments were Rydberg atoms with a very large principal quantum number. Another important ingredient is a superconductivity cavity, the quality factor of which is high enough for a periodic energy exchange between atom and cavity field to be observed. The dynamics of the atom-field interaction predicted by theory was measured. Some of the features are explicitly a consequence of the quantum nature of the electromagnetic field: The statistical and discrete nature of the photon field leads to new dynamic characteristics such as collapse and revivals in the Rabi nutation.

Physica Scripta•Jan 1, 1988•41 citations

Single Atom Experiments

HERBERT WALTHER

Recent experiments with the one-atom maser /1/ have demonstrated that it is possible to study the interaction of single Rydberg atoms with a single quantized mode /2/ of a resonant electromagnetic field in a superconducting cavity. The quality factor is high enough to observe the periodic energy exchange between the atom and the field. The statistical and discrete nature of the photon field leads to new dynamic characteristics such as collapse and revial in the Rabi nutation /3/. Most of the observed effects are purely quantum features /4/.

Spectral Hole-Burning and Related Spectroscopies: Science and Applications•Jan 1, 1992•0 citations

Generation of nonclassical radiation in the one-atom maser

HERBERT WALTHER

Recent experiments with the one-atom maser1 have demonstrated that it is possible to study the interaction of single Rydberg atoms with a single quantized mode2 of a resonant electromagnetic field in a super conducting cavity. The quality factor is high enough to observe the periodic energy exchange between the atom and field. The statistical and discrete nature of the photon field leads to new dynamic characteristics such as collapse and revival in the Rabi nu tation.3 Most of the observed effects are purely quantum features.4

•May 21, 1990•0 citations

Single-atom experiments and the test of fundamental quantum physics

HERBERT WALTHER

The work on the one-atom maser is reviewed. The superconducting maser cavity made of niobium and cooled to 0.5 K to exclude thermal photons has a quality factor of 3 X 1010. Velocity-selected Rydberg atoms pump the maser. The field inside the cavity is investigated by probing the atoms leaving the cavity. The dynamics of the Rabi nutation were investigated. Furthermore, the statistics of the photons in the cavity were determined to be sub-Poissonian corresponding to photon-number fluctuations of 70% below the vacuum-state limit. The one-atom maser is the only maser system which leads to nonclassical radiation even when pumping processes with Poissonian statistics are used. Some applications of the one- atom maser to study the quantum measurement process also are discussed.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Oct 28, 1992•0 citations

Observation of quantum collapse and revival in a one-atom maser

Gerhard Rempe, HERBERT WALTHER, N. Klein

The dynamics of the interaction of a single Rydberg atom with a single mode of an electromagnetic field in a superconducting cavity was investigated. Velocity-selected atoms were used and the evolution of the atomic inversion as atom and field exchange energy was observed. The quantum collapse and revival predicted by the Jaynes-Cummings model were demonstrated experimentally for the first time. The evaluation of the dynamic behavior of the atoms allows us to determine the statistics of the few photons in the cavity.

Physical Review Letters•Jan 26, 1987•1,427 citations

NONCLASSICAL RADIATION FROM ONE-ATOM OSCILLATORS

HERBERT WALTHER

Recent experiments with the one-atom maser /1/ have demonstrated that it is possible to study the interaction of a single atom with a single mode of a resonant electromagnetic field of a cavity.

•Jul 18, 1988•2 citations
Experiments on the interaction of a single atom with a single mode of a resonant electromagnetic field in a cavity are reviewed. The atoms used in these experiments were Rydberg atoms with a very large principal quantum number. Another important ingredient is a superconductivity cavity, the quality factor of which is high enough for a periodic energy exchange between atom and cavity field to be observed. The dynamics of the atom-field interaction predicted by theory was measured. Some of the features are explicitly a consequence of the quantum nature of the electromagnetic field: The statistical and discrete nature of the photon field leads to new dynamic characteristics such as collapse and revivals in the Rabi nutation.
Recent experiments with the one-atom maser /1/ have demonstrated that it is possible to study the interaction of single Rydberg atoms with a single quantized mode /2/ of a resonant electromagnetic field in a superconducting cavity. The quality factor is high enough to observe the periodic energy exchange between the atom and the field. The statistical and discrete nature of the photon field leads to new dynamic characteristics such as collapse and revial in the Rabi nutation /3/. Most of the observed effects are purely quantum features /4/.
Recent experiments with the one-atom maser1 have demonstrated that it is possible to study the interaction of single Rydberg atoms with a single quantized mode2 of a resonant electromagnetic field in a super conducting cavity. The quality factor is high enough to observe the periodic energy exchange between the atom and field. The statistical and discrete nature of the photon field leads to new dynamic characteristics such as collapse and revival in the Rabi nu tation.3 Most of the observed effects are purely quantum features.4
The work on the one-atom maser is reviewed. The superconducting maser cavity made of niobium and cooled to 0.5 K to exclude thermal photons has a quality factor of 3 X 1010. Velocity-selected Rydberg atoms pump the maser. The field inside the cavity is investigated by probing the atoms leaving the cavity. The dynamics of the Rabi nutation were investigated. Furthermore, the statistics of the photons in the cavity were determined to be sub-Poissonian corresponding to photon-number fluctuations of 70% below the vacuum-state limit. The one-atom maser is the only maser system which leads to nonclassical radiation even when pumping processes with Poissonian statistics are used. Some applications of the one- atom maser to study the quantum measurement process also are discussed.
The dynamics of the interaction of a single Rydberg atom with a single mode of an electromagnetic field in a superconducting cavity was investigated. Velocity-selected atoms were used and the evolution of the atomic inversion as atom and field exchange energy was observed. The quantum collapse and revival predicted by the Jaynes-Cummings model were demonstrated experimentally for the first time. The evaluation of the dynamic behavior of the atoms allows us to determine the statistics of the few photons in the cavity.