Quantum optics in a non-inertial reference frame: the Rabi splitting in a rotating ring cavity

TL;DR

This paper investigates quantum optics in a rotating ring cavity using quantum field theory in curved spacetime, revealing a three-peak Rabi splitting sensitive to rotation speed, which can be used for precise angular velocity detection.

Contribution

It derives a Jaynes-Cummings type Hamiltonian for a two-level atom in a rotating cavity, showing unique mode degeneracy effects on Rabi splitting.

Findings

Rabi splitting exhibits three peaks due to mode degeneracy.

Side peak heights depend linearly on rotation velocity.

Potential application in high-precision angular velocity sensing.

Abstract

We study quantum optics with the atoms coupled to the quantized electromagnetic (EM) field in a non-inertial reference frame by making use of quantum field theory in curved spacetime. We rigorously establish the microscopic model for a two-level atom interacting with the quantized EM field in a rotating ring cavity by deriving a Jaynes-Cummings (JC) type Hamiltonian. Due to the two fold degeneracy of the ring cavity modes, the Rabi splitting exhibits three rather than two resonant frequency peaks. We find that the heights of the two side peaks show a sensitive linear dependence on the rotating velocity. This high sensitivity can be utilized to detect the angular velocity of the whole system.