Wave-function approach to dissipative processes in quantum optics

Jean Dalibard, Yvan Castin, and Klaus Mølmer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 580 – Published 3 February 1992
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Abstract

A novel treatment of dissipation of energy from a ‘‘small’’ quantum system to a reservoir is presented. We replace the usual master equation for the small-system density matrix by a wave-function evolution including a stochastic element. This wave-function approach provides new insight and it allows calculations on problems which would otherwise be exceedingly complicated. The approach is applied here to a two- or three-level atom coupled to a laser field and to the vacuum modes of the quantized electromagnetic field.

  • Received 15 October 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.68.580

©1992 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Jean Dalibard and Yvan Castin

  • Laboratoire de Spectroscopie Hertzienne de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, 24 rue Lhomond, F-75231 Paris CEDEX 05, France

Klaus Mølmer

  • Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

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Issue

Vol. 68, Iss. 5 — 3 February 1992

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