CoOMBE: A suite of open-source programs for the integration of the optical Bloch equations and Maxwell-Bloch equations

Abstract

The programs described in this article and distributed with it aim (1) at integrating the optical Bloch equations governing the time evolution of the density matrix representing the quantum state of an atomic system driven by laser or microwave fields, and (2) at integrating the 1D Maxwell-Bloch equations for one or two laser fields co-propagating in an atomic vapour. The rotating wave approximation is assumed. These programs can also be used for more general quantum dynamical systems governed by the Lindblad master equation. They are written in Fortran 90; however, their use does not require any knowledge of Fortran programming. Methods for solving the optical Bloch equations in the rate equations limit, for calculating the steady-state density matrix and for formulating the optical Bloch equations in the weak probe approximation are also described. Program summaryProgram Title: CoOMBECPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/5wsg9d52dk.1Developers' repository link:https://github.com/durham-qlm/CoOMBELicensing provisions: GPLv3Programming language: Fortran 90Nature of problem: The present programs can be used for the following operations: (1) Integrating the optical-Bloch equations within the rotating wave approximation for a multi-state atomic system. At the choice of the user, the calculation will return either the time-dependent density matrix at given times or the density matrix in the long time limit if the system evolves into a steady state in that limit. The calculation can be done with or without averaging over the thermal velocity distribution of the atoms. The number of atomic states which can be included in the calculation is limited only by the CPU time available and possibly by memory requirements. An arbitrarily large number of laser or microwave fields can be included in the calculation if these fields are all CW. This number is currently limited to one or two for fields that are not all CW. The calculation can be done in the weak probe approximation, or in the rate equations approximation, or without assuming either of these two approximations. Calculating refractive indexes, absorption coefficients and complex susceptibilities is also possible. (2) Integrating the 1D Maxwell-Bloch equations in the slowly varying envelope approximation for one or two fields co-propagating in a single-species atomic vapour. Although geared towards the case of atoms interacting with laser fields, this code can also be used for more general quantum systems with similar equations of motion (e.g., molecular systems, spin systems, etc.).Solution method: The Lindblad master equation is expressed as a system of homogeneous first order linear differential equations, which are transformed as required and solved to obtain the density matrix representing the state of the atomic system. A variety of methods are offered to this end. The same approach is also used in the calculation of the polarisation of the medium when integrating the Maxwell-Bloch equations. The latter are integrated over space using predictor-corrector methods. The library includes a general driving program making it possible to use these codes without additional program development. The distribution also includes examples of the use of a container for running these programs without a pre-installed Fortran compiler.