Finite-Q cavity electrodynamics: dynamical and statistical aspects

Abstract

Solutions of the basic equations of a simplified model of the cavity quantum electrodynamics are presented under the condition that the single-photon Rabi frequency is much larger than the cavity decay rate. Such solutions are used to calculate the quantum-statistical properties of the field and atomic observables under a variety of initial conditions involving the states of the field and atom. Effects of increasing cavity damping and of the addition of thermal photons on collapse and revival phenomena are discussed. Phase-sensitive aspects of the cavity field are also treated. Quantum effects are shown to be most easily isolated by sending an atom initially prepared in a dressed state for such a state does not evolve further under the influence of a classical field. The appearance of squeezing in the cavity field is demonstrated. The squeezing is most prominent for a coherently prepared atom passing through an empty cavity. The quantum features of the complex dipole moment and their detectability are also discussed in detail.