Abstract

We have reported a fairly complete analysis of the quantum Dicke model [1]. This consists of N 2-level atoms on the same site driven by arbitrary fields - coherent, chaotic, mixed coherent-chaotic. We also showed [2] in particular that it is easy to include, albeit in a rather formal way, the effects of a cavity on the Dicke model in abroad band chaotic field. The results agree well with those recently observed on high Rydberg Na atoms [3]. This suggests that a comparable analysis for a coherent driving field which also includes the effects of a cavity will provide a quantum theory of optical bistability. It also suggests that some of the consequences of the theory, primarily photon statistical properties, which, however, are calculated as interatomic correlations [2,3], might be observable in a suitable experiment.

© 1983 Optical Society of America