On the analogy between a single atom and an optical resonator

Heugel ST, Villar A, Sondermann M, Peschel U, Leuchs G (2010)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2010

Journal

Laser Physics MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica (МАИК Наука/Интерпериодика) / Institute of Physics

Book Volume: 20

Pages Range: 100-106

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1134/S1054660X09170095

Abstract

A single atom in free space can have a strong influence on a light beam and a single photon can have a strong effect on a single atom in free space. Regarding this interaction, two conceptually different questions can be asked: can a single atom fully absorb a single photon and can a single atom fully reflect a light beam. The conditions for achieving the full effect in either case are different. Here we discuss related questions in the context of an optical resonator. When shaping a laser pulse properly it will be fully absorbed by an optical resonator, i.e., no light will be reflected and all the pulse energy will accumulate inside the resonator before it starts leaking out. We show in detail that in this case the temporal pulse shape has to match the time-reversed pulse obtained by the cavity's free decay. On the other hand a resonator, made of highly reflecting mirrors which normally reflect a large portion of any incident light, may fully transmit the light, as long as the light is narrow band and resonant with the cavity. The analogy is the single atom-normally letting most of the light pass-which under special conditions may fully reflect the incident light beam. Using this analogy we are able to study the effects of practical experimental limitations in the atom-photon coupling, such as finite pulses, bandwidths, and solid angle coverage, and to use the optical resonator as a test bed for the implementation of the quantum experiment. © 2010 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.

Authors with CRIS profile

Simon Tobias Heugel Institut für Optik, Information und Photonik Markus Sondermann Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik (Optik) Ulf Peschel Professur für Experimentalphysik Gerhard Leuchs Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik (Optik)

Involved external institutions

Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Heugel, S.T., Villar, A., Sondermann, M., Peschel, U., & Leuchs, G. (2010). On the analogy between a single atom and an optical resonator. Laser Physics, 20(1), 100-106. https://dx.doi.org/10.1134/S1054660X09170095

MLA:

Heugel, Simon Tobias, et al. "On the analogy between a single atom and an optical resonator." Laser Physics 20.1 (2010): 100-106.

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