Stark-ladder resonances in the propagation of electromagnetic waves

Abstract

We discuss the existence of electromagnetic Stark ladder in some optic systems by studying the propagation of light. The transmission coefficient is calculated by means of the transfer-matrix method. It is shown that although the transfer matrix is different from the quantum case it can give, in some particular configurations, a Stark-ladder resonance structure similar to the one observed in quantum systems. The relation between these resonances and a Fabry-Perot-like interference is discussed. Consideration is given to the observability of these ladders in the laboratory.