Liouville space theory of sequential quantum processes. II. Application to a system with an internal reservoir

Abstract

For pt.I see ibid. vol.15, p.2157 (1982). A system consisting of discrete states and continuum states (which form a so-called internal reservoir) is treated, illustrating the theory of sequential quantum processes in Liouville space developed in the preceding paper. The populations and coherences associated with the discrete states satisfy Markovian master equations when the interaction matrix elements between discrete and continuum states are significant over a broad band of continuum states. The population of a single discrete state decays exponentially with time, whilst the population of two coupled discrete states (one only coupled to the continuum states) may exhibit Rabi oscillations. For the latter case of two coupled discrete levels, the population of particular continuum states approaches a two-peak form for long times (Autler-Townes splitting).