Dark periods in the resonance fluorescence of a single ? system

Abstract

We use the quantum jump method to study the photon statistics of a single laser-driven atom in the Λ configuration where both lower levels are strongly coupled to the common upper level. Under certain conditions we show that, for almost degenerate lower levels, light and dark periods occur which are similar to those of the well-known Dehmelt V system. Analytic results for their mean lengths and other statistical properties are given. For large separation of the lower levels we prove an interesting bunching property by the photons in the resonance fluorescence near the dark resonance. We propose a realistic system for which these effects may be observed.