Abstract

A lot of information about a physical system can be gained by characterizing the light field that is emitted. Measurements of second-order intensity correlation functions have become a standard tool to observe the conditional dynamics of various fundamental systems in quantum optics. Here, we present – for the first time – measurements of the time-dependent, third-order intensity correlation function of a genuine quantum system. It consists of a neutral ⁸⁵Rb atom strongly coupled to a single mode of a high-finesse optical cavity. In order to excite higher-order dressed states of the Jaynes-Cummings ladder we use relatively strong probe powers corresponding to steady state empty-cavity photon numbers as high as 20.

© 2011 IEEE