Exact Markovian and non-Markovian time dynamics in waveguide QED: collective interactions, bound states in continuum, superradiance and subradiance

TL;DR

This paper introduces an exact formalism for modeling both Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics in waveguide QED, enabling detailed analysis of collective phenomena like superradiance and subradiance with potential applications in pulse-shaping.

Contribution

The authors develop a versatile real-space formalism that accurately captures time dynamics in waveguide QED without configuration restrictions, including non-Markovian effects.

Findings

Discovery of subdivision of decay rates into symmetric and anti-symmetric groups

Identification of non-Markovian superradiance exceeding Dicke superradiance

Demonstration of the formalism's applicability to pulse-shaping and coherent absorption

Abstract

We develop a formalism for modelling exact time dynamics in waveguide quantum electrodynamics (QED) using the real-space approach. The formalism does not assume any specific configuration of emitters and allows the study of Markovian dynamics fully analytically and non-Markovian dynamics semi-analytically with a simple numerical integration step. We use the formalism to study subradiance, superradiance and bound states in continuum. We discuss new phenomena such as subdivision of collective decay rates into symmetric and anti-symmetric subsets and non-Markovian superradiance effects that can lead to collective decay stronger than Dicke superradiance. We also discuss possible applications such as pulse-shaping and coherent absorption. We thus broaden the range of applicability of real-space approaches beyond steady-state photon transport.