Scattering of coherent pulses on a two-level system - Single-photon generation

Abstract

In this paper, we consider a two-level system (TLS) coupled to a one-dimensional continuum of bosonic modes in a transmission line (TL). Using the master equation approach, a method for determining the photon number distribution of the scattered field is outlined. Specifically, results for the reflected field when driving the TLS with a coherent pulse are given. While the one-photon probability is enhanced compared to the incident coherent field, the system is still not a good deterministic single-photon source. Extending the system to contain two separate TLs, however, output fields with one-photon probabilities close to unity can be reached. © 2014 IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft.