Multiple spontaneous emissions and interference effects in resonance fluorescence

Abstract

A QED calculation of the resonance fluorescence spectra of a two-level atom in a strong, nearly resonant field, is reported, taking into account multiple spontaneous emissions (in any order) and interference effects. The results of this calculation are compared with the results of the quantum statistical theories, and the role of the elementary processes analysed. At resonance, in the high-field limit, the exact agreement of the QED and statistical theories is demonstrated. It is pointed out that the interference effects are of the greatest importance.