Generalization of the Einstein coefficients and rate equations under the quantum Rabi oscillation

Abstract

We have generalized Einstein coefficients and rate equations from quantum field theoretic point of view by bringing the fundamental processes and the quantum Rabi oscillation in a single footing for the light–matter interactions for nonzero Rabi frequency. We have analytically obtained multimode Jaynes–Cummings model results for the quantum Rabi oscillation of a two-level system in a lossy resonant cavity containing (i) thermal photons and (ii) injected photons of a coherent field. We have renormalized the coupling constant for the light–matter interactions for these cases. Our results match well with the seminal experimental data obtained in this regard by Brune et al (1996 Phys. Rev. Lett. 76 1800). We also have studied the population dynamics in this regard by applying the generalized Einstein rate equations.