Optical interpretation of linear-optics superradiance and subradiance

Abstract

Super- and subradiance are usually described in the framework of Dicke collective states, which is an ``atomic picture'' in which the electromagnetic field only provides an effective interaction between the atoms. Here, we discuss a complementary picture, in which we describe the propagation and scattering of light in the atomic medium, which provides a complex susceptibility and scatterers. This ``optical picture'' is valid in the linear-optics regime for disordered samples and is mainly relevant at low density, when the susceptibility and scattering cross-section can be computed from simple textbook formulas. In this picture, superradiance is a dispersion effect due to a single scattering event dressed by an effective refractive index, whereas subradiance is due to multiple scattering. We present numerical and experimental data supporting our interpretation.

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Cited by in corpus (6)

• Tunable virtual gain in resonantly absorbing media
• Super- and subradiance in dilute disordered cold atomic samples: observations and interpretations
• Superradiant phase transition in a large interacting driven atomic ensemble in free space
• $N$ Scaling of Large-Sample Collective Decay in Inhomogeneous Ensembles
• Bound states and decay dynamics in $N$-level Friedrichs model with factorizable interactions
• Temporal dynamics in the Bragg reflection of light by cold atoms: flash effect and superradiant decay