Abstract

Recent experiments with the one-atom maser¹ have demonstrated that it is possible to study the interaction of single Rydberg atoms with a single quantized mode² of a resonant electromagnetic field in a super conducting cavity. The quality factor is high enough to observe the periodic energy exchange between the atom and field. The statistical and discrete nature of the photon field leads to new dynamic characteristics such as collapse and revival in the Rabi nu tation.³ Most of the observed effects are purely quantum features.⁴

© 1990 Optical Society of America