We solve a problem of spontaneous emission from an atom trapped in a harmonic binding potential for several initial states of the center of mass: the ground state, the thermal state, and the coherent state. The spectral and temporal properties of the emitted light are discussed. We stress the role of the Doppler shift.PACS number(s): 42.50.Vk
We solve the spontaneous and induced emission problem for an atom coupled to a ring cavity, taking into account the center-of-mass motion. We solve analytically the non-Hermitian Schrödinger equation for the spontaneous emission. Then we use this solution to test our quantum Monte Carlo solution for the induced processes. The coherence of atomic center-of-mass wave function combined with a well-defined phase of the field produces noteworthy interference phenomena. They may be understood with the help of the semiclassical solution. ͓S1050-2947͑96͒09510-8͔PACS number͑s͒: 42.50.Ϫp
QThHPIn a recent paper [ l ] a significant modification of the spontaneous emission spectrum from an extended atom was found. The total intensity of the light emitted from a coherent extended atom is similar to the one of a multitude of independent light sources. This may be explained by the fact that the spontaneous emission results from the coupling of the atom to the vacuum field which is totally incoherent. One may then ask the following questions:
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