Three-level atom and two modes: Generalized models and multiphotons

A generalized model is presented for the interaction between a 3-level atom and a 2-mode field. The interaction depends on functions on the photon numbers in the modes. There is also detuning included. The use of spin-1 operators to describe the atomic system is emphasized. Different statistical quantities are computed for the photons and the atomic system in the general case. Multiphoton processes, whether cascade or scattering, are discussed by using specific formulae for the photon numbers functions. A model is presented in which infinite sums tend to elementary functions or infinite integrals in the two cases of thermal and coherent distributions for the two modes. (author)