Quantum theory of spontaneous emission and excitation near a phase-conjugating mirror

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1989 · Journal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1364/JOSAB.6.001932· OSTI ID:5351707

Milonni, P W ^[1]; Bochove, E J ^[2]; Cook, R J ^[3]

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1. Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (US)
2. Department of Physics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409
3. Seiler Research Laboratory, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907

We present a quantum-electrodynamic theory of spontaneous emission in the presence of a phase-conjugating mirror (PCM) and show that the radiative relaxation rate is increased owing to the amplification of quantum noise by the PCM. For any finite value of the PCM reflectivity an atom in any initial state will relax to a steady state with a finite probability of being excited. In particular, there is a finite probability of spontaneous excitation of a ground-state atom placed near the PCM. The fluorescence spectrum of an atom near a PCM is generally described by two Lorentzian functions.

• OSTI ID: 5351707
• Journal Information: Journal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of the Optical Society of America B: Optical Physics; (USA) Vol. 6:10; ISSN JOBPD; ISSN 0740-3224
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

657002* -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Classical & Quantum Mechanics
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATOMS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
EMISSION
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
FIELD THEORIES
MIRRORS
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
QUANTUM ELECTRONICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
RELAXATION
SURFACES