Dynamics of spontaneous emission in a single-end photonic waveguide

Abstract

We investigate the spontaneous emission of a two-level system, e.g., an atom or atomlike object, coupled to a single-end, i.e., a semi-infinite, one-dimensional photonic waveguide such that one end behaves as a perfect mirror while light can pass through the opposite end with no backreflection. Through a quantum microscopic model we show that such geometry can cause nonexponential and long-lived atomic decay. Under suitable conditions, a bound atom-photon stationary state appears in the atom-mirror interspace so as to trap a considerable amount of initial atomic excitation. Yet this can be released by applying an atomic frequency shift, causing a revival of photon emission. The resilience of such effects to typical detrimental factors is analyzed.