Fano-Agarwal couplings and non-rotating wave approximation in single-photon timed-Dicke subradiance

TL;DR

This paper investigates how virtual processes, including Fano-Agarwal couplings and non-rotating wave approximation effects, influence the decay of single-photon timed-Dicke subradiant states, which are relevant for quantum information storage.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the impact of virtual processes on the decay dynamics of timed-Dicke states, highlighting the role of specific state couplings.

Findings

Virtual processes significantly affect decay rates of TD states

Fano-Agarwal couplings can alter subradiant and superradiant behaviors

Dominant couplings between specific TD states are identified

Abstract

Recently a new class of single-photon timed-Dicke (TD) subradiant states has been introduced with possible applications in single-photon based quantum information storage and on demand ultrafast retrieval [Scully M. O., Phys. Rev. Lett., 115 (2015) 243602]. However, the influence of any kind of virtual processes on the decay of these new kind of subradiant states has been left as an open question. In the present paper, we focus on this problem in detail. In particular, we investigate how pure Fano-Agarwal couplings and other virtual processes arising from non-rotating wave approximation impact the decay of otherwise sub and superradiant states. In addition to the overall virtual couplings among all TD states, we also focus on the dominant role played by the couplings between specific TD states.