6 research outputs found
Complex collective states in a one-dimensional two-atom system
We consider a pair of identical two-level atoms interacting with a scalar
field in one dimension, separated by a distance . We restrict our
attention to states where one atom is excited and the other is in the ground
state, in symmetric or anti-symmetric combinations. We obtain exact collective
decaying states, belonging to a complex spectral representation of the
Hamiltonian. The imaginary parts of the eigenvalues give the decay rates, and
the real parts give the average energy of the collective states. In one
dimension there is strong interference between the fields emitted by the atoms,
leading to long-range cooperative effects. The decay rates and the energy
oscillate with the distance . Depending on , the decay rates
will either decrease, vanish or increase as compared with the one-atom decay
rate. We have sub- and super-radiance at periodic intervals. Our model may be
used to study two-cavity electron wave-guides. The vanishing of the collective
decay rates then suggests the possibility of obtaining stable configurations,
where an electron is trapped inside the two cavities.Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.