Mutual Coherence and Interference in Resonance Fluorescence

P. Kochan; H. J. Carmichael; P. R. Morrow; M. G. Raizen

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.45

Mutual Coherence and Interference in Resonance Fluorescence

P. Kochan, H. J. Carmichael, P. R. Morrow, and M. G. Raizen

Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 45 – Published 3 July 1995

Abstract

We study theoretically the interference of the resonance fluorescence from two atoms coupled to an optical cavity mode. Atom-atom correlations induced by the cavity alter the fringe visibility, which provides a measurement of collective atomic behavior. We use quantum trajectories to explain the loss of mutual coherence for strong excitation and propose a phase-selective measurement to partially restore the coherence. A “which-path” explanation for the loss of coherence is also discussed.

Received 13 February 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.45

Authors & Affiliations

P. Kochan¹, H. J. Carmichael¹, P. R. Morrow², and M. G. Raizen²

¹Department of Physics, Chemical Physics Institute, and Institute of Theoretical Science, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403
²Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712