Spectrum in spontaneous emission: Beyond the Weisskopf-Wigner approximation
Abstract
The theory of spontaneous emission presented by Weisskopf and Wigner [V. Weisskopf and E. Wigner, Z. Phys.EPJAFV1434-600110.1007/BF01336768 63, 54 (1930)] provides an excellent approximation of the actual decay that atoms undergo on optically allowed transitions. However, the theory cannot be rigorously correct since it leads to a Lorentzian spectrum that extends to negative frequencies. Within the rotating-wave approximation, we derive a closed-form expression for the spectrum that is valid for all frequencies.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review A
- Pub Date:
- August 2010
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevA.82.023818
- Bibcode:
- 2010PhRvA..82b3818B
- Keywords:
-
- 42.50.Ct;
- 32.70.Jz;
- 32.30.Jc;
- Quantum description of interaction of light and matter;
- related experiments;
- Line shapes widths and shifts;
- Visible and ultraviolet spectra