Physical Review A

Theory of emission of radiation from an assembly of N two-level atoms

Ranjana Prakash, Naresh Chandra

Published Apr 1, 1980• 10 citations

Abstract

Interaction with a multimode quantized radiation field of an assembly of $N$ two-level atoms contained in a small volume is considered for the special cases of (i) highly excited, (ii) weakly excited, and (iii) superradiant atomic assemblies, and solutions of equations of motion are obtained in closed form. For (i) and (ii) we show that, if the atomic assembly is in the Dicke state $|r,m>$, the spontaneously emitted radiation is Lorentzian, and its spectral width and the numerical value of the Lamb shift are $r+|m|$ times that for a single excited atom. For (i) the sign of Lamb shift is opposite to that for (ii) and for a single excited atom. Change in the frequency shift gives chirping in the pulse radiation emitted spontaneously by an assembly of atoms. We obtain the reduced density operator for a single mode and for the complete spontaneous emitted radiation, and discuss its characteristic function, weight function in diagonal representation, coherence functions, and normalized variance. We find that the emitted radiation is chaotic if all atoms are excited or if the assembly is weakly excited and is in thermal equilibrium. For a superradiant assembly, the radiation is coherent; it is only amplitude coherent if the initial atomic density operator is nondiagonal. We also study stimulated emission and scattering for the cases (i) and (ii). For case (iii) these phenomena do not take place.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.21.1297

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Quantum theory of coherent spontaneous and stimulated emissions

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Physical Review AFeb 1, 197425 citations

Radiation from an N -Atom System. II. Spontaneous Emission from a Pair of Atoms

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Photon Statistics and Coherence of Stimulated Superradiant Pulses

Y. C. Lx, Arthur Holly Compton

Jan 1, 20070 citations

Physical Review A

Theory of emission of radiation from an assembly of N two-level atoms

Ranjana Prakash, Naresh Chandra

Published Apr 1, 1980• 10 citations

Publisher

Abstract

Interaction with a multimode quantized radiation field of an assembly of

N

two-level atoms contained in a small volume is considered for the special cases of (i) highly excited, (ii) weakly excited, and (iii) superradiant atomic assemblies, and solutions of equations of motion are obtained in closed form. For (i) and (ii) we show that, if the atomic assembly is in the Dicke state

|r,m>

, the spontaneously emitted radiation is Lorentzian, and its spectral width and the numerical value of the Lamb shift are

r+|m|

times that for a single excited atom. For (i) the sign of Lamb shift is opposite to that for (ii) and for a single excited atom. Change in the frequency shift gives chirping in the pulse radiation emitted spontaneously by an assembly of atoms. We obtain the reduced density operator for a single mode and for the complete spontaneous emitted radiation, and discuss its characteristic function, weight function in diagonal representation, coherence functions, and normalized variance. We find that the emitted radiation is chaotic if all atoms are excited or if the assembly is weakly excited and is in thermal equilibrium. For a superradiant assembly, the radiation is coherent; it is only amplitude coherent if the initial atomic density operator is nondiagonal. We also study stimulated emission and scattering for the cases (i) and (ii). For case (iii) these phenomena do not take place.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.21.1297

Related papers

Quantum theory of coherent spontaneous and stimulated emissions

Martin E. Smithers, Eugene Y. C. Lu

Photon statistics are obtained from exact closed-form solutions for both spontaneous and stimulated coherent emissions by a large number of two-level atoms in a Dicke state. Depending on the initial excitation level of the atoms, three types of photon statistics are obtained for the emitted radiation field. Moments of the photon number of the emitted field are calculated in the case of initial atomic coherent states as well as Dicke states, and in the case of n-photon stimulating pulses as well as coherent stimulating pulses. In the particular case of an initial "superradiant" Dicke state stimulated by a coherent-radiation field, the emitted radiation pulse is also fully coherent. In other cases the photon distributions undergo large fluctuations.Photon statistics are obtained from exact closed-form solutions for both spontaneous and stimulated coherent emissions by a large number of two-level atoms in a Dicke state. Depending on the initial excitation level of the atoms, three types of photon statistics are obtained for the emitted radiation field. Moments of the photon number of the emitted field are calculated in the case of initial atomic coherent states as well as Dicke states, and in the case of n-photon stimulating pulses as well as coherent stimulating pulses. In the particular case of an initial "superradiant" Dicke state stimulated by a coherent-radiation field, the emitted radiation pulse is also fully coherent. In other cases the photon distributions undergo large fluctuations.

Physical Review AFeb 1, 197425 citations

Radiation from an N -Atom System. II. Spontaneous Emission from a Pair of Atoms

Robert H. Lehmberg

Using the formalism developed earlier, we treat spontaneous emission from a pair of identical two-level atoms ${A}_{1}$ , ${A}_{2}$ , whose separation ${r}_{21}$ can be comparable to the wavelength $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. We obtain expressions for time-dependent intensities and damping rates with the initial conditions (a) both atoms inverted, (b) prior excitation by a short $\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse, and (c) only ${A}_{1}$ inverted. The results in (a) are compared with those obtained for a model consisting of two initially excited harmonic oscillators ${O}_{1}$ , ${O}_{2}$ . The atoms exhibit superradiant behavior, whereas ${O}_{1}$ , ${O}_{2}$ tend to trap radiation. In (a), the intensity pattern $\mathcal{R}(\ensuremath{\theta},t)$ develops lobes in different directions at different times, so that the spatial distribution of photons at time $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ is the same as in the independent-atom case ${r}_{21}\ensuremath{\gg}\ensuremath{\lambda}$. For the oscillators, the lobes of $\mathcal{R}(\ensuremath{\theta},t)$ do not change direction, but only become more pronounced as time increases. In (b) and (c), the lobes oscillate back and forth at frequency $2{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$ corresponding to the shifts $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$ of the triplet and singlet states due to the ${A}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{A}_{2}$ interaction. The intensity can therefore have a sinusoidal component. Field correlation functions calculated for (a) and (c) show that ${A}_{2}$ and ${A}_{2}$ radiate simultaneously around the frequencies $\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$, where $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ is the single-atom resonant frequency. The spectrum is calculated for case (c), and shows the effects of coherent linewidth enhancement in addition to the frequency shifts.Using the formalism developed earlier, we treat spontaneous emission from a pair of identical two-level atoms ${A}_{1}$, ${A}_{2}$, whose separation ${r}_{21}$ can be comparable to the wavelength $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. We obtain expressions for time-dependent intensities and damping rates with the initial conditions (a) both atoms inverted, (b) prior excitation by a short $\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse, and (c) only ${A}_{1}$ inverted. The results in (a) are compared with those obtained for a model consisting of two initially excited harmonic oscillators ${O}_{1}$, ${O}_{2}$. The atoms exhibit superradiant behavior, whereas ${O}_{1}$, ${O}_{2}$ tend to trap radiation. In (a), the intensity pattern $\mathcal{R}(\ensuremath{\theta},t)$ develops lobes in different directions at different times, so that the spatial distribution of photons at time $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ is the same as in the independent-atom case ${r}_{21}\ensuremath{\gg}\ensuremath{\lambda}$. For the oscillators, the lobes of $\mathcal{R}(\ensuremath{\theta},t)$ do not change direction, but only become more pronounced as time increases. In (b) and (c), the lobes oscillate back and forth at frequency $2{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$ corresponding to the shifts $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$ of the triplet and singlet states due to the ${A}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{A}_{2}$ interaction. The intensity can therefore have a sinusoidal component. Field correlation functions calculated for (a) and (c) show that ${A}_{2}$ and ${A}_{2}$ radiate simultaneously around the frequencies $\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$, where $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ is the single-atom resonant frequency. The spectrum is calculated for case (c), and shows the effects of coherent linewidth enhancement in addition to the frequency shifts.

Physical Review ASep 1, 1970280 citations

Master-Equation Approach to Spontaneous Emission

G. S. Agarwal

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Spontaneous Emission by a System of Identical Atoms

Demosthenes Dialetis

The spontaneous emission of a set of $N$ identical two-level atoms interacting with a quantized electromagnetic field is studied. The atoms are assumed to be close together compared to the mean wavelength of the emitted radiation, and their initial state is either a Dicke state or a superposition of the ground and excited state for each atom. Approximate expressions are obtained for transition probabilities, expectation values, and correlations as functions of time. The spontaneous emission for a very large separation of the atoms is also studied. In this case the directional properties of the emitted radiation, as well as the time within which the atoms decay to their ground state, depend on the position of each atom.The spontaneous emission of a set of $N$ identical two-level atoms interacting with a quantized electromagnetic field is studied. The atoms are assumed to be close together compared to the mean wavelength of the emitted radiation, and their initial state is either a Dicke state or a superposition of the ground and excited state for each atom. Approximate expressions are obtained for transition probabilities, expectation values, and correlations as functions of time. The spontaneous emission for a very large separation of the atoms is also studied. In this case the directional properties of the emitted radiation, as well as the time within which the atoms decay to their ground state, depend on the position of each atom.

Physical Review ASep 1, 197042 citations

Coherence of the Radiation from the Superradiant State

Zofia Białynicka-Birula

Coherence properties of the single-mode electromagnetic radiation emitted by a system of identical two-level atoms which is initially in the superradiant state are determined approximately. The approximation is valid only for short times when the state of the atomic system does not differ appreciably from the superradiant state. The electromagnetic field radiated spontaneously possesses full coherence in the sense of Glauber's definition, its density operator having the form of that for the ideal laser radiation. This coherence disappears when, because of external radiation, stimulated and spontaneous emission both take place.Coherence properties of the single-mode electromagnetic radiation emitted by a system of identical two-level atoms which is initially in the superradiant state are determined approximately. The approximation is valid only for short times when the state of the atomic system does not differ appreciably from the superradiant state. The electromagnetic field radiated spontaneously possesses full coherence in the sense of Glauber's definition, its density operator having the form of that for the ideal laser radiation. This coherence disappears when, because of external radiation, stimulated and spontaneous emission both take place.

Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fieldsJan 15, 197011 citations

Photon Statistics and Coherence of Stimulated Superradiant Pulses

Y. C. Lx, Arthur Holly Compton

A system of many #we-level atoms or molecules in a collective Dieke state (1) interacting with a single resonant mode of the quantized radiation field has often been adopted as a quantum-mechanical model for a point laser (2). In a previous paper (3) we reported exact dosed-form solutions and photon statistics of coherent spontaneous emission for the model atom-field state in the l imit of infinitely large co-operation number. The purpose of this paper is to report more general results based on this modeI. We give the exact closed-form solutions and photon statistics of coherent emission in the presence of an applied field for the model atom-field state in the same limit. For an initial atomic Dicke state interacting with an applied field in a coherent (Glauber) state (a), the emitted pulse can be desoribed in terms of Glauber states only when the levels of excitation of the initial Dicke states are (~ superradiant ~ (~). For an initially highly inverted system or low excited system, the photon distributions undergo large fluctuations. The model interaction Hamil tonian is given byA system of many #we-level atoms or molecules in a collective Dieke state (1) interacting with a single resonant mode of the quantized radiation field has often been adopted as a quantum-mechanical model for a point laser (2). In a previous paper (3) we reported exact dosed-form solutions and photon statistics of coherent spontaneous emission for the model atom-field state in the l imit of infinitely large co-operation number. The purpose of this paper is to report more general results based on this modeI. We give the exact closed-form solutions and photon statistics of coherent emission in the presence of an applied field for the model atom-field state in the same limit. For an initial atomic Dicke state interacting with an applied field in a coherent (Glauber) state (a), the emitted pulse can be desoribed in terms of Glauber states only when the levels of excitation of the initial Dicke states are (~ superradiant ~ (~). For an initially highly inverted system or low excited system, the photon distributions undergo large fluctuations. The model interaction Hamil tonian is given by

Jan 1, 20070 citations

Interaction with a multimode quantized radiation field of an assembly of

N

|r,m>

, the spontaneously emitted radiation is Lorentzian, and its spectral width and the numerical value of the Lamb shift are

r+|m|

Using the formalism developed earlier, we treat spontaneous emission from a pair of identical two-level atoms

{A}_{1}

{A}_{2}

, whose separation

{r}_{21}

can be comparable to the wavelength $\ensuremath{\lambda}$. We obtain expressions for time-dependent intensities and damping rates with the initial conditions (a) both atoms inverted, (b) prior excitation by a short $\frac{1}{2}\ensuremath{\pi}$ pulse, and (c) only

{A}_{1}

inverted. The results in (a) are compared with those obtained for a model consisting of two initially excited harmonic oscillators

{O}_{1}

{O}_{2}

. The atoms exhibit superradiant behavior, whereas

{O}_{1}

{O}_{2}

tend to trap radiation. In (a), the intensity pattern $\mathcal{R}(\ensuremath{\theta},t)$ develops lobes in different directions at different times, so that the spatial distribution of photons at time $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ is the same as in the independent-atom case ${r}_{21}\ensuremath{\gg}\ensuremath{\lambda}$. For the oscillators, the lobes of $\mathcal{R}(\ensuremath{\theta},t)$ do not change direction, but only become more pronounced as time increases. In (b) and (c), the lobes oscillate back and forth at frequency $2{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$ corresponding to the shifts $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$ of the triplet and singlet states due to the ${A}_{1}\ensuremath{-}{A}_{2}$ interaction. The intensity can therefore have a sinusoidal component. Field correlation functions calculated for (a) and (c) show that

{A}_{2}

and

{A}_{2}

radiate simultaneously around the frequencies $\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}{\ensuremath{\Omega}}_{12}$, where $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ is the single-atom resonant frequency. The spectrum is calculated for case (c), and shows the effects of coherent linewidth enhancement in addition to the frequency shifts.

Spontaneous emission from a system of

N

identical two-level atoms is considered using a master equation recently derived by the author. The master equation describing the time evolution of the phase-space distribution function associated with the reduced density operator of the atomic system is obtained. This master equation, which is of the type of a Fokker-Planck equation, is used to derive the equation of motion for the mean values of various atomic operators characterizing the physical properties of the system. This leads to a hierarchy of equations, which is decoupled by making a suitable approximation. The intensity of the spontaneously emitted radiation is then calculated. Next, the spontaneous emission from geometrically small systems is considered. For this case, the master equation is solved exactly, and an exact expression for the radiation rate is obtained. The exact solution of the master equation is also used to calculate the normally ordered correlation functions for the electric field. Section V deals with the spontaneous emission from a system of harmonic oscillators, the size of the system being small compared to a wavelength. The master equation for this problem is also solved exactly, and it is shown that this system also leads to superradiant emission in some cases, e.g., if all the oscillstors are excited initially to some coherent state

|{z}_{0}〉

The spontaneous emission of a set of

N

identical two-level atoms interacting with a quantized electromagnetic field is studied. The atoms are assumed to be close together compared to the mean wavelength of the emitted radiation, and their initial state is either a Dicke state or a superposition of the ground and excited state for each atom. Approximate expressions are obtained for transition probabilities, expectation values, and correlations as functions of time. The spontaneous emission for a very large separation of the atoms is also studied. In this case the directional properties of the emitted radiation, as well as the time within which the atoms decay to their ground state, depend on the position of each atom.