Abstract
The collective spontaneous emission of multilevel atoms is studied in optical vector theory and without applying the rotating-wave approximation. The counter-rotating terms are included using a unitary transformation method. We analyze the decay dynamics starting from two initial conditions, the standard Dicke and timed Dicke states. In addition to the dependence on ensemble volume and density, we also study the effect of the ensemble geometry on cooperative emission for spheres, cubes, and quasi-two-dimensional shapes in different orientations. Finally, time-dependent cooperative spontaneous emission rates are introduced and investigated.
- Received 28 March 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.85.053830
©2012 American Physical Society