Abstract

The semiclassical Dicke model and the ideal parametric amplifier are described by Hamiltonians linear in the SU(2) and SU( 1,1) group generators, respectively. We use the usual pseudospin vector as well as its SU(1,1) analog¹ to give a unified description of the dynamics of the coherent states in these models. The pseudospin dynamics is governed by a precession (or pseudoprecession) equation, hence simple geometrical arguments can be used to infer the evolution of the coherent state parameters. To study fluctuations and squeezing we introduce a correlation tensor which is a higher-order generalization of the pseudospin vector. The correlation tensor obeys a generalized precession equation which can be factored into scalar, vector, and quadrupole parts and solved exactly by application of the Cayley-Hamilton theorem. Our approach to the calculation of squeezing and fluctuations provides an alternative to the more traditional approach employing disentangling theorems. It also provides an attractive and closely parallel geometrical description of coherent state evolution and squeezing in the two models.

© 1987 Optical Society of America