arXiv · 0901.3979
Intensity-field correlation of single-atom resonance fluorescence
Abstract
We report measurements of an intensity-field correlation function of the resonance fluorescence of a single trapped Ba+ ion. Detection of a photon prepares the atom in its ground state and we observe its subsequent evolution under interaction with a laser field of well defined phase. We record the regression of the resonance fluorescence source field. This provides a direct measurement of the field of the radiating dipole of a single atom and exhibits its strong non-classical behavior. In the experimental setup an interference measurement is conditioned on a fluorescence photon detection. The third-order correlation function thus recorded demonstrates an aspect of wave-particle duality at the single-atom, single-photon level.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
S. Gerber, D. Rotter, L. Slodicka, J. Eschner, H. J. Carmichael, R. Blatt. 2009-01-26. Intensity-field correlation of single-atom resonance fluorescence. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.102.183601
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.