Correlated photon emission by two excited atoms in a waveguide

TL;DR

This paper studies how two excited atoms coupled to a waveguide emit correlated photon pairs, revealing optimal emission ratios at specific interatomic distances, which could inform quantum communication technologies.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of photon emission dynamics and correlations from two atoms in a waveguide, highlighting conditions for maximal directional emission ratios.

Findings

Maximum emission ratio R=3 at half-multiple wavelength distances.

The initial two-atom excited state decays into a two-photon state with specific correlation properties.

The lifetime and correlation characteristics depend on interatomic distance and coupling strength.

Abstract

Systems of atoms coupled to a single or few waveguide modes provide a testbed for physically and practically interesting interference effects. We consider the dynamics of a pair of atoms, approximated as two-level quantum emitters, coupled to a linear guided mode. In particular, we analyze the evolution of an initial state in which both atoms are excited, which is expected to decay into an asymptotic two-photon state. We investigate the lifetime of the initial configuration and the properties of the asymptotic photon correlations, and analyze the probability that the two photons are emitted in the same or in opposite directions. We find that the ratio R between parallel and antiparallel emission probabilities is maximal when the interatomic distance is a half-multiple of the half-wavelength of the emitted light. In such a case, R=3 in the small-coupling regime.