What is the derivation for the vacuum density of states in the Purcell effect?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the derivation of the vacuum density of states related to the Purcell effect, which describes the enhancement of spontaneous emission rates for atoms in high finesse cavities. The vacuum density of states outside the cavity is defined as $$\rho_s = \frac{8 \pi f^2}{(c/n)^3}$$, while inside the cavity it is represented as $$\rho_c = \frac{1}{\Delta f V}$$, where ##\Delta f## is the linewidth and ##V## is the mode volume. The participants express difficulty in finding a proper derivation for these formulas, despite references to the original Purcell paper and related literature. They suggest that the derivation may be analogous to that of the Casimir effect but lack specific resources for a complete understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum electrodynamics (QED)
  • Familiarity with cavity quantum electrodynamics (cavity QED)
  • Knowledge of spontaneous emission processes
  • Basic grasp of electromagnetic theory and wave propagation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of vacuum density of states in quantum electrodynamics
  • Study the Casimir effect and its mathematical foundations
  • Examine literature on cavity QED, focusing on spontaneous emission enhancements
  • Explore advanced texts on the Purcell effect and its implications in quantum optics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, quantum optics researchers, and students studying quantum electrodynamics and cavity QED, particularly those interested in spontaneous emission phenomena and the Purcell effect.

Zarqon
Messages
216
Reaction score
30
The Purcell effect is when an atom placed inside a high finesse cavity with a very small mode volume gets an increase in the spontaneous emission rate. I've tried to find correct explanation for this effect, but it seems hard to find, except that it comes from an increase in the vacuum density of states.

Outside of the cavity, the vacuum density of states responsible for the spontaneous decay is given by:

$$\rho_s = \frac{8 \pi f^2}{(c/n)^3}$$

, whereas inside the cavity the vacuum density of states is instead given by:

$$\rho_c = \frac{1}{\Delta f V}$$

, where ##\Delta f## is the linewidth of the cavity and ##V## the mode volume. The formulas are taken from wikipedia and also mentioned in several articles, including the original by Purcell, although it does not contain any derivations. My question is now basically, how can these density of states be derived? I have tried to google and look through both wiki-like resources and papers, but have been unable to find a proper derivation. The closest thing I found was a derivation of the Casimir effect, which is certainly similar in nature, but not quite the same expressions.

Do any of you the derivation for the vacuum density of states, or where I can find it?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Give this a look, page 202,

https://books.google.com/books?id=Q-4dIthPuL4C&pg=PA204&dq=The+Purcell+effect&hl=en&sa=X&ei=TFqLVfTmEYf0yAT-zYLYCQ&ved=0CCoQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=The Purcell effect&f=false

From,

https://www.google.com/search?q=The...a=X&ei=PFqLVY-EJdGiyATdwIHQBg&ved=0CA4Q_AUoAQ

Also see, page 126,

https://books.google.com/books?id=I7sLAn4_ZVcC&pg=PA126&dq=The+Purcell+effect+cavity+qed&hl=en&sa=X&ei=F2GLVde9OYK9yQSX2YPYCg&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Purcell%20effect%20cavity%20qed&f=false

From,

https://www.google.com/search?safe=...1.11.0...0...1c.1.64.serp..11.0.0.KzD2A2qaulI
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K