Dynamics in a coupled-cavity array

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the dynamics of two coupled optical cavities with atoms can be controlled by adjusting cavity coupling, affecting atom-atom interactions and excitation transfer.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of how cavity coupling influences atom-field detuning and the resulting dynamics in a coupled-cavity system.

Findings

Detuning between atoms and delocalized modes is controlled by cavity coupling.

Dispersive dynamics enable atom excitation transfer without populating the field.

Resonance conditions require intermediate field excitation for state transfer.

Abstract

The dynamics of a system composed of two coupled optical cavities, each containing a single two-level atom, is studied over a wide range of detuning and coupling values. A description of the field in terms of delocalized modes reveals that the detuning between the atoms and these modes is controlled by the coupling between the cavities; this detuning in turn governs the nature of the dynamics. If the atoms are highly detuned from both delocalized field modes, the dynamics becomes dispersive and an excitation may be transferred from the first atom to the second without populating the field. In the case of resonance between the atoms and one of the delocalized modes, state transfer between the atoms requires intermediate excitation of the field. Thus the interaction between the two atoms can be controlled by adjusting the coupling between the cavities.