Control of the Purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional points

We examine the possible control of the celebrated Purcell effect in cavity quantum electrodynamics. We demonstrate that the presence of an unexcited atom can significantly alter the Purcell decay depending on the strength of coupling of the unexcited atom with the cavity mode though the excited atom...

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Main Author: G. S. Agarwal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2024-03-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.L012050
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author G. S. Agarwal
author_facet G. S. Agarwal
author_sort G. S. Agarwal
collection DOAJ
description We examine the possible control of the celebrated Purcell effect in cavity quantum electrodynamics. We demonstrate that the presence of an unexcited atom can significantly alter the Purcell decay depending on the strength of coupling of the unexcited atom with the cavity mode though the excited atom has to be weakly coupled for it to be in the Purcell regime. This cooperative behavior is distinct from the nonradiative nature of the singlet state which is an entangled state of the two-atom system. We present a physical interpretation for inhibition as due to interference between two polariton channels of decay. For specific values of the parameters, we bring out a connection to exceptional points in the cavity QED system as the unexcited atom and cavity mode can produce a second-order exceptional point. We further show how two unexcited atoms can create a third-order exceptional point leading to inhibition of the Purcell effect. We also discuss the case when the Purcell effect can be enhanced.
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spelling doaj.art-401b86a907b34deb90a720e3f3325d572024-04-12T17:40:03ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642024-03-0161L01205010.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.L012050Control of the Purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional pointsG. S. AgarwalWe examine the possible control of the celebrated Purcell effect in cavity quantum electrodynamics. We demonstrate that the presence of an unexcited atom can significantly alter the Purcell decay depending on the strength of coupling of the unexcited atom with the cavity mode though the excited atom has to be weakly coupled for it to be in the Purcell regime. This cooperative behavior is distinct from the nonradiative nature of the singlet state which is an entangled state of the two-atom system. We present a physical interpretation for inhibition as due to interference between two polariton channels of decay. For specific values of the parameters, we bring out a connection to exceptional points in the cavity QED system as the unexcited atom and cavity mode can produce a second-order exceptional point. We further show how two unexcited atoms can create a third-order exceptional point leading to inhibition of the Purcell effect. We also discuss the case when the Purcell effect can be enhanced.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.L012050
spellingShingle G. S. Agarwal
Control of the Purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional points
Physical Review Research
title Control of the Purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional points
title_full Control of the Purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional points
title_fullStr Control of the Purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional points
title_full_unstemmed Control of the Purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional points
title_short Control of the Purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional points
title_sort control of the purcell effect via unexcited atoms and exceptional points
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.6.L012050
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