Abstract
Can a single atom coherently excited by on-resonance laser radiation generate a random telegraph signal with frequent periods of darkness in the fluorescence radiation, reflecting the quantum jumps of the atomic transitions? Erber and Putterman1 have proposed that such a random telegraph, predicted earlier2 for incoherent excitation, persists when the excitation is coherent and resonant with the unperturbed atomic transition frequencies. They argue that such an atomic telegraph is cryptographically equivalent to an infinite computer in its ability to generate random numbers, and would provide new tests of basic quantum theory. Here we argue that any periods of darkness in the light emitted by a coherently driven atom excited on resonance must be exceedingly rare.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Erber, T. & Putterman, S. Nature 318, 41–42 (1985).
Cook, R. J. & Kimble, H. J. Phys. Rev. Lett. 54, 1023–1026 (1985).
Pegg, D. T., Loudon, R. & Knight, P. L. Phys. Rev. A33, 4085–4091 (1986).
Loudon, R. The Quantum Theory of Light, 2nd edn (Clarendon, Oxford, 1983).
Javanainen, J. Phys. Rev. A33, 2121–2124 (1986).
Arecchi, F. T., Schenzle, A., DeVoe, R. G., Jungmann, K. & Brewer, R. G. Phys. Rev. A33, 2124–2126 (1986).
Schenzle, A., DeVoe, R. G. & Brewer, R. G. Phys. Rev. A33, 2127–2131 (1986).
Dalibard, J. & Cohen-Tannoudji, C. Europhys. Lett. 1, 441–448 (1986).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Knight, P., Loudon, R. & Pegg, D. Quantum jumps and atomic cryptograms. Nature 323, 608–609 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/323608a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/323608a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
