Published October 2007 | Version v1
Journal article

Spontaneous emission and scattering in a two-atom system: Conservation of probability and energy

Creators

  • 1. Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics, FOCUS Center, and Physics Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1040 (United States)

Description

An explicit calculation of conservation of probability and energy in a two-atom system is presented. One of the atoms is excited initially and undergoes spontaneous emission. The field radiated by this atom can be scattered by the second atom. It is seen that the Weisskopf-Wigner approximation must be applied using a specific prescription to guarantee conservation of probability and energy. Moreover, for consistency, it is necessary to take into account the rescattering by the source atom of radiation scattered by the second atom

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physical Review. A
Journal Volume
76
Journal Issue
4
Journal Page Range
p. 043816-043816.8
ISSN
1050-2947
CODEN
PLRAAN

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
39042610
Subject category
S74: ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
APPROXIMATIONS; ATOMS; CONSERVATION LAWS; EMISSION; EXCITED STATES; LIFETIME; PHOTON-ATOM COLLISIONS; PROBABILITY; RESCATTERING; SCATTERING
Descriptors DEC
ATOM COLLISIONS; CALCULATION METHODS; COLLISIONS; ENERGY LEVELS; PHOTON COLLISIONS; SCATTERING

Optional Information

Notes
(c) 2007 The American Physical Society