Kimble 9313668 This proposal, "Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics", involves an experimental investigation of the quantum dynamical processes for a small collection of atoms strongly coupled to the field of an optical cavity. The objectives include an exploration of the linear and nonlinear spectroscopic properties of the atom-cavity system as manifestations of the underlying coupling-induced structure. The synthesis of "arbitrary" quantum states of the electromagnetic field will be investigated by adiabatic passage with the vacuum-field. Because of the strong coupling of the atom and the cavity field, it should be possible to explore measurement-induced localization whereby the internal degrees of freedom of the atom-cavity system become entangled with the atomic center of mass motion. It is also proposed that the coupling achievable will be sufficient to realize a one-atom laser. Finally, from the perspective of continuous quantum measurement of open systems, the atom-cavity system should be capable of investigating the quantum-classical interface. The experiments will first look at cesium atoms in an atomic beam interacting with the field of a very high finesse optical cavity. These experiments will be followed by ones using an optical trap. The experiments are intended to exploit the atom-cavity system as a paradigm for the investigation of quantum dynamics for open quantum systems in the regime of strong coupling.
