Introduction to Quantum Optics: Homework set #1

Date: 10/04/2018
Due: 10/11/2018

Problem 1: Heisenberg picture

Consider a two-level atom interacting with a classical monochromatic field. The
Hamiltonian is of the form, H = H0 +V , where, in the Schrödinger picture, H0 = ~ω2 0 σz
and V = ~2 Ω0 (e−iωt σ + + h.c.) with σz = |eihe| − |gihg|, σ + = |eihg|, and σ − = |gihe|.
Note that here we have used the rotating wave approximation and set Ω0 to be real.
Another useful picture, called the Heisenberg picture, is to view operators as dynamical
variables while the states stay invariant. Suppose the time-evolution operator is given
by U = exp(− ~i Ht), the Heisenberg-picture operator is then defined through Ah (t) =
U † As U , where the sub-indices h and s denote the Heisenberg and Schrödinger pictures.
1. Show that the equation of motion for Ah is dtd Ah = − ~i [Ah , H] if the Schrödinger
operator As has no explicit time dependence.
2. Show that [σ + (t), σ − (t)] = σz (t), [σz (t), σ ± (t)] = ±2σ ± (t), but in general there are
no such relations for t 6= t0 .
3. Setting σ ± (t) = σ̃ ± (t)e±iωt , write down the equation of motion for σz (t) and σ̃ ± (t).
Note that these spin operators are in the Heisenberg picture so time dependent.
4. Solving these equations will be a little lengthy so we don’t want to do so right
now. But it helps to go to σ̃x (t) ≡ σ̃+ (t) + σ̃− (t) and σ̃y (t) ≡ −iσ̃+ (t) + iσ̃− (t).
Recast your equations of motion into the ones for σ̇z , σ̃˙ x , and σ̃˙ y and show that
d
~σ = Ω~ × ~σ , where Ω
~ = (Ω0 , 0, −δ) and ~σ = (σ̃x , σ̃y , σz ).
dt
5. To obtain a physical quantity in the Heisenberg picture, we use hψ(t)|As |ψ(t)i =
hψ(0)|Ah (t)|ψ(0)i ≡ hAh (t)i. Given that at t = 0, |ψ(0)i = |gi, show that
Ω20
q
1−hσz (t)i Ω
2
= Ω2 sin2 2 t, where Ω ≡ Ω20 + δ 2 . (You don’t have to give the general
solution.)

Problem 2: Dressed states

A useful perspective to understand a two-level system is through dressed states,
which are the new eigenvectors of the interaction Hamiltonian (in the field-interaction
picture):
!
~ −δ Ω0
VI = .
2 Ω∗0 δ

(1) Find the eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors. (2) Show that on resonance,
the two dressed states become symmetric and anti-symmetric states. (3) For a weak
field, |Ω0 |  δ, find the AC-Stark shift, i.e., the levels’ energy shift due to application
of field, and show that the two eigenstates (dressed states) become
Ω∗0
|−i = |ei − |gi
2δ
Ω0
|+i = |gi + |ei.
2δ
(4) Write down the general solution for any state at t. Calculate the population in
states |ei and |gi, and compare this result to that we discussed in class.

1
Problem 3: [Ref: Berman: Problem 2.13]
Instead of applying a linearly polarized field, imagine that a circularly polarized
field drives a J = 0 to J = 1 transition. Take the field to be of the form E(t) =
E0 [ˆx cos ωt + ˆy sin ωt], where E0 is constant. Show that one can write

E0 h i
E(t) = √ −ˆ+ e−iωt + ˆ− eiωt ,
2

where ˆ± = ∓ x̂±iŷ

√ . Given that the matrix elements of µ̂ · 
2
ˆ satisfy

hJ = 0, mJ = 0|µ̂ · ˆ− |J = 1, mJ i = −hJ = 1, mJ |µ̂ · ˆ+ |J = 0, mJ = 0i∗ ∝ δmJ ,1

hJ = 0, mJ = 0|µ̂ · ˆ+ |J = 1, mJ i = −hJ = 1, mJ |µ̂ · ˆ− |J = 0, mJ = 0i∗ ∝ δmJ ,−1 ,

prove that, if one considers transitions between the J = 0 and J = 1, mJ = 1 levels

only, it is not necessary to make any RWA to get the interaction-picture Hamiltonian:
!
~ 0 Ω0 (t)e−iδt
VI = ,
2 Ω∗0 (t)eiδt 0

where δ = ω − ω0 . On the other hand, show that the counterrotating terms (with
frequency ±(ω + ω0 )) drive transitions between the J = 0 and J = 1, mJ = −1 levels.

Problem 4:
In free space we have

ˆk,λ Ek ak,λ eik·r + h.c.

X
E(r) =
k,λ
k × ˆk,λ
Ek ak,λ eik·r + h.c.
X
B(r) =
k,λ
ωk
q
where Ek = 2~ω0 Vk , ωk = ck, V is the quantization volume, and λ = 1,2 denote two
orthogonal polarization directions. Show that
i~ ∂ (3)
[Ex (r, t), By (r0 , t)] = − δ (r − r0 )
0 ∂z
[Ex (r, t), Bx (r0 , t)] = 0.
0 0
eik·(r−r ) = V
d3 keik·(r−r ) = V δ (3) (r − r0 ).
P R
Hint: k 8π 3