Master equations for time correlation functions of a quantum system interacting with stochastic perturbations and applications to emission and absorption line shapes

Abstract

The stochastic and quantum dynamics of open quantum systems interacting with stochastic perturbations in considered. The master equations for one time and multi-time correlation functions of such a system are derived to all orders in the interaction with the stochastic perturbations. The importance of the non-markovian character of such equations in the study of various problems in optical resonance is discussed. The simplified form of the non-markovian master equations in Born approximation is also given. It is shown that such non-markovian master equations in Born approximation are exact if there is only one random perturbation, of the telegraphic signal type, acting on the system. The master equations for the linear response functions of an open system interacting with stochastic perturbations are also derived. The non-markovian master equations for multitime correlations are used to study the behaviour of two level atoms interacting with fluctuating laser fields. Both amplitude and phase fluctuations are taken into account. Explicit results are presented for the spectrum of resonance fluorescence, absorption spectrum, photon antibunching effects etc. The calculations are done for arbitrary values of the relaxation parameters and intial conditions. In general the fluorescence spectrum is found to be asymmetric for off resonant fields.