Recoil effects in quantum electronics: the nonlinear molecular response

Abstract

Derives the equations of motion for the density matrix of a two-level molecule interacting with two oppositely propagating semiclassical waves. The equations are shown to correctly reproduce earlier results by Kol'chenko et al. (1969) for one travelling wave, and their perturbation treatment for a standing wave. The saturated absorber experiment is treated in the case when one travelling wave is weak enough to allow a perturbation expansion in its amplitude. The velocity dependent absorption function is investigated in detail, and the effect of recoil on the processes: Raman scattering, Rayleigh scattering and dynamic Stark splitting is obtained and discussed. These have been treated without recoil by Haroche and Hartmann (1972) and a detailed comparison with their work is included. Finally there is a brief discussion of the importance of recoil for different situations in quantum electronics.