Wave-function approach to dissipative processes in quantum optics

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 1992-02, Vol.68 (5), p.580-583
Main Authors: DALIBARD, J, CASTIN, J, MØLMER, K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Optics
Physics
Quantum optics
Quantum Physics
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/physrevlett.68.580