Quantum Interference Enforced by Time-Energy Complementarity

M. Kiffner, J. Evers, and C. H. Keitel
Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 100403 – Published 14 March 2006

Abstract

The interplay of the concepts of complementarity and interference in the time-energy domain are studied. In particular, we theoretically investigate the fluorescence light from a J=1/2 to J=1/2 transition that is driven by a monochromatic laser field. We find that the spectrum of resonance fluorescence exhibits a signature of vacuum-mediated interference effects, whereas the total intensity is not affected by interference. We demonstrate that this result is a consequence of the principle of complementarity, applied to time and energy. Since the considered level scheme can be found, e.g., in Hg+198 ions, our model system turns out to be an ideal candidate to provide evidence for as yet experimentally unconfirmed vacuum-induced atomic coherences.

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  • Received 13 September 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.100403

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Kiffner, J. Evers, and C. H. Keitel

  • Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany

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Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 10 — 17 March 2006

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