Dipole–dipole interaction between motionless point atoms located near a charged conductive plate

Abstract

On the basis of a quantum microscopic approach, we study the excitation dynamics of two motionless point atoms located in fixed positions near a perfectly conductive charged surface. We analyze the spontaneous decay rate of individual atoms near the plate, as well as the strength of the dipole–dipole interaction between different atoms. It is shown that the spontaneous decay rate of an excited atom depends to a significant extent on its distance from the mirror. In the case where the interatomic separation is smaller than or comparable to the wavelength of the resonant radiation, the spontaneous decay dynamics of an excited atom is cooperative, so it is described by a multi-exponential law. It is shown that an electrostatic field caused by the charged plate modifies the character of the dipole–dipole interaction.