Quantum-interference-initiated superradiant and subradiant emission from entangled atoms

Journal Article · Mon Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.84.023805· OSTI ID:22068547

Wiegner, R ^[1]; Zanthier, J von ^[1]; Agarwal, G S ^[2]

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1. Institut fuer Optik, Information und Photonik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen (Germany)
2. Department of Physics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma (United States)

We calculate the radiative characteristics of emission from a system of entangled atoms which can have a relative distance larger than the emission wavelength. We develop a quantum multipath interference approach which explains both super- and subradiance though the entangled states have zero dipole moment. We derive a formula for the radiated intensity in terms of different interfering pathways. We further show how the interferences lead to directional emission from atoms prepared in symmetric W states. As a byproduct of our work we show how Dicke's classic result can be understood in terms of interfering pathways. In contrast to the previous works on ensembles of atoms, we focus on finite numbers of atoms prepared in well characterized states.

• OSTI ID: 22068547
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 84; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ATOMS
INTERFERENCE
QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT
SUPERRADIANCE
SYMMETRY
WAVELENGTHS