Quantum theory of Rayleigh scattering
Abstract
We suggest a quantum description of Rayleigh light scattering on atoms. We show that an entangled state of the excited atom and the incident photon is formed during the scattering. Due to entanglement, a photon is never completely absorbed by the atom. The formation of the scattering spectrum is considered as a relaxation of incident photons to the reservoir of free space modes that are in thermal equilibrium. Additional excitations of the reservoir modes occurring during scattering are treated as scattered light. We show that even if the frequency of incident photons is incommensurate with an atomic transition frequency, the scattered light spectrum has a maximum at the frequency of incident photons. In addition, the linewidth of the scattered light is much smaller than that of the spontaneous emission of a single atom. Therefore, the process can be considered as elastic.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 2021
- Source ID
- 10.1364/oe.412852
Entities
People
- A. A. Pukhov
- A. P. Vinogradov
- Alexander A. Lisyansky
- E. S. Andrianov
- I. V. Doronin
- V. Yu. Shishkov
Organizations
- Basis
- Office of Naval Research