Intensity-field correlation of single-atom resonance fluorescence.
We report measurements of an intensity-field correlation function of the resonance fluorescence of a single trapped 138Ba+ ion. Detection of a photon prepares the atom in its ground state, and we observe its subsequent evolution under interaction with a laser field of well-defined phase. We record the regression of the resonance fluorescence source field. This provides a direct measurement of the field of the radiating dipole of a single atom and exhibits its strong nonclassical behavior. In the setup, an interference measurement is conditioned on the detection of a fluorescence photon.
Gerber
S
S
Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Rotter
D
D
Slodicka
L
L
Eschner
J
J
Carmichael
H J
HJ
Blatt
R
R