Multi-normal-mode splitting peaks are experimentally observed in a system with Doppler-broadened two-level atoms inside a relatively long optical cavity. In this system, the atom-cavity interaction can reach the ``superstrong-coupling'' condition with atom-cavity coupling strength $g\sqrt{N}$ to be near or larger than the cavity free-spectral range ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\text{FSR}}$. In such case, normal-mode splitting can occur in many cavity longitudinal modes to generate the multi-normal-mode splitting peaks, which can be well explained by the linear-dispersion enhancement due to the largely increased atomic density in the cavity. Many new interesting phenomena might come out of this superstrong atom-cavity coupling regime.Multi-normal-mode splitting peaks are experimentally observed in a system with Doppler-broadened two-level atoms inside a relatively long optical cavity. In this system, the atom-cavity interaction can reach the ``superstrong-coupling'' condition with atom-cavity coupling strength $g\sqrt{N}$ to be near or larger than the cavity free-spectral range ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\text{FSR}}$. In such case, normal-mode splitting can occur in many cavity longitudinal modes to generate the multi-normal-mode splitting peaks, which can be well explained by the linear-dispersion enhancement due to the largely increased atomic density in the cavity. Many new interesting phenomena might come out of this superstrong atom-cavity coupling regime.

arXiv:0906.1129Physical Review AJun 18, 200919 citations

Optical resonance and two-level atoms

R. C. Harney

IEEE Journal of Quantum ElectronicsJul 1, 1978605 citations

Interaction of a two-level atom with single-mode optical field beyond the rotating wave approximation

Ju Liu, Zhiyuan Li

One of the simplest models involving the atom-field interaction is the coupling of a single two-level atom with single-mode optical field. Under the rotating wave approximation, this problem is reduced to a form that can be solved exactly. But the approximation is only valid when the two levels are resonant or nearly resonant with the applied electromagnetic radiation. Here we present an analytical solution without the rotating wave approximation and applicable to general atom-field interaction far away from the resonance. We find that there exists remarkable influence of the initial phase of optical field on the Rabi oscillations and Rabi splitting, and this issue cannot be explored in the context of the rotating wave approximation. Due to the retention of the counter-rotating terms, higher-order harmonic appears during the Rabi splitting. The analytical solution suggests a way to regulate and control the quantum dynamics of a two-level atom and allows for exploring more essential features of the atom-field interaction.One of the simplest models involving the atom-field interaction is the coupling of a single two-level atom with single-mode optical field. Under the rotating wave approximation, this problem is reduced to a form that can be solved exactly. But the approximation is only valid when the two levels are resonant or nearly resonant with the applied electromagnetic radiation. Here we present an analytical solution without the rotating wave approximation and applicable to general atom-field interaction far away from the resonance. We find that there exists remarkable influence of the initial phase of optical field on the Rabi oscillations and Rabi splitting, and this issue cannot be explored in the context of the rotating wave approximation. Due to the retention of the counter-rotating terms, higher-order harmonic appears during the Rabi splitting. The analytical solution suggests a way to regulate and control the quantum dynamics of a two-level atom and allows for exploring more essential features of the atom-field interaction.

Optics ExpressNov 10, 201412 citations

Normal-Mode Line Shapes for Atoms in Standing-Wave Optical Resonators

James Childs, Kyungwon An, Michael S. Otteson +2 more

A high finesse standing-wave cavity mode resonantly interacting with a beam of two-level ${}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ atoms is weakly driven by a tunable laser. Transmitted and sidelight scattered line shapes are recorded. With mean intracavity atomic number, $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, we observe one-, two-, and three-peaked line shapes for strong coupling. In addition, two-peaked spectra observed in intermediate coupling demonstrate that line-shape splitting is not necessarily indicative of oscillatory atom-cavity energy exchange. Several atoms are required for $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, so this is not a true single-atom regime.A high finesse standing-wave cavity mode resonantly interacting with a beam of two-level ${}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ atoms is weakly driven by a tunable laser. Transmitted and sidelight scattered line shapes are recorded. With mean intracavity atomic number, $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, we observe one-, two-, and three-peaked line shapes for strong coupling. In addition, two-peaked spectra observed in intermediate coupling demonstrate that line-shape splitting is not necessarily indicative of oscillatory atom-cavity energy exchange. Several atoms are required for $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, so this is not a true single-atom regime.

Physical Review LettersSep 30, 199667 citations

g\sqrt{N}

to be near or larger than the cavity free-spectral range ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\text{FSR}}$. In such case, normal-mode splitting can occur in many cavity longitudinal modes to generate the multi-normal-mode splitting peaks, which can be well explained by the linear-dispersion enhancement due to the largely increased atomic density in the cavity. Many new interesting phenomena might come out of this superstrong atom-cavity coupling regime.

A high finesse standing-wave cavity mode resonantly interacting with a beam of two-level

{}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}

atoms is weakly driven by a tunable laser. Transmitted and sidelight scattered line shapes are recorded. With mean intracavity atomic number, $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, we observe one-, two-, and three-peaked line shapes for strong coupling. In addition, two-peaked spectra observed in intermediate coupling demonstrate that line-shape splitting is not necessarily indicative of oscillatory atom-cavity energy exchange. Several atoms are required for $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, so this is not a true single-atom regime.