Analytic solutions for the spatial character and coherence properties of light scattered from two dipole-coupled atoms

Abstract

Analytic solutions for steady-state expectation values of atomic quantities and second-order correlations are obtained for a fully quantum treatment of two stationary dipole-coupled atoms driven in a standard geometric configuration by a near-resonant laser. Explicit expressions for the spatial and coherence properties of the far-field scattered light intensity are derived, valid for the full range of system parameters. A comprehensive survey of the steady-state scattering behavior is given, with key features precisely characterized, including suppression of scattering, and the regime in which the dipole-dipole coupling has significant effect. A regime is also found where the incoherent scattered light develops spatial interference fringes. We examine in detail a decorrelation approximation that has potential application for larger systems of atoms that are intractable in a full quantum treatment. Finally, we introduce the concept of an effective driving field and show that it can provide a direct and intuitive physical interpretation of key aspects of the system behavior.