Superradiance from non-ideal initial states -- a quantum trajectory approach

TL;DR

This paper explores superradiance from non-ideal initial states using a quantum trajectory approach, revealing complex emission dynamics beyond symmetric states and comparing quantum jump methods with classical rate equations.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum trajectory framework to analyze superradiance from realistic, non-symmetric initial states and clusters, extending beyond traditional symmetric Dicke states.

Findings

Superradiance can arise from superpositions of Dicke states with unequal weights.

Quantum jumps and continuous evolution provide complementary insights into emission dynamics.

Classical rate equations approximate quantum dynamics for certain initial states.

Abstract

Collective emission behavior is usually described by the decay dynamics of the completely symmetric Dicke states. To study a more realistic scenario, we investigate alternative initial states inducing a more complex time evolution. Superposition states of the fully inverted Dicke state and the Dicke ground state with unequal mutual weights are studied as examples as well as superradiance stemming from atoms in clusters separated by more than one wavelength. The Monte Carlo wave function method serves as framework to study the dynamics of quantum states, which is determined by quantum jumps on the one hand and continuous evolution dynamics on the other hand. We compare this method with the classical picture of a system of rate equations written for the diagonal components of the density matrix.