Phase-space distribution functions for photon propagation in waveguides coupled to a qubit

TL;DR

This paper develops a phase-space distribution function approach to analyze photon propagation in waveguides coupled to a qubit, revealing nonclassical features and providing analytical solutions for various input states.

Contribution

It introduces a distribution function method for photon dynamics in waveguides with a qubit, including analytical and differential equation solutions for different photon inputs.

Findings

Distribution function of transmitted photons can be negative, indicating nonclassical behavior.

Analytical expressions for photon densities in momentum and coordinate space are derived.

Photon fluctuations depend on input photon number, pulse width, and interaction strength.

Abstract

We investigate propagation of few-photon pulses in waveguides coupled to a two-level system by means of the method of distribution functions in coordinate-momentum space that provides a detailed description of photon systems. We find that the distribution function of the transmitted pulse can be negative for the nonclassical input (i.e., single-photon Fock state). This reveals the quasiprobability nature of photon distribution. Analytical expressions for photon densities in the momentum space as well as in the coordinate space are obtained for the mentioned single-photon Gaussian input. We also study evolution of the multimode coherent-state input for an arbitrary photon number. Time-dependent differential equations describing average densities and fluctuations of outgoing photons are derived and solved. Influence of the number of input photons, pulse width, and radiation-atom interaction strength on the statistical properties of the fluctuations is investigated.