Experimental detection of photons emitted during inhibited spontaneous emission

David Branning; Alan L. Migdall; Paul G. Kwiat

doi:10.1117/12.734807

31 August 2007 Experimental detection of photons emitted during inhibited spontaneous emission

David Branning, Alan L. Migdall, Paul G. Kwiat

Proceedings Volume 6664, The Nature of Light: What Are Photons?; 66640E (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.734807
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We present an experimental realization of a "sudden mirror replacement" thought experiment, in which a mirror that is inhibiting spontaneous emission is quickly replaced by a photodetector. The question is, can photons be counted immediately, or only after a retardation time that allows the emitter to couple to the changed modes of the cavity, and for light to propagate to the detector? Our results, obtained with a parametric downconverter, are consistent with the cavity QED prediction that photons can be counted immediately, and are in conflict with the retardation time prediction.

Citation Download Citation

David Branning, Alan L. Migdall, and Paul G. Kwiat "Experimental detection of photons emitted during inhibited spontaneous emission", Proc. SPIE 6664, The Nature of Light: What Are Photons?, 66640E (31 August 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.734807

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