Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-atomic-and-laser-physics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2022/3/d/solution
Past exam of the atomic and laser physics course of the University of Oxford 2022 3 d Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-25
Use first-order time-dependent perturbation theory, setting in the equation for and retaining the generally complex matrix element . With and , the probability amplitude isFor , split the integral at the pulse maximum. For either or ,Thus the full first-order answer, without discarding the counter-rotating contribution, isAt long times it givesThis full expression is not exactly one squared Lorentzian line shape. To obtain the intended near-resonance spectral line profile, additionally assume , so the pulse has a narrow positive-frequency lobe and is negligible. ThenThe weak-excitation condition near resonance is . The squared Lorentzian line shape occurs because the symmetric exponential pulse has a Lorentzian line shape amplitude Fourier transform, which is then squared to obtain probability.
At half the maximum, , soThe full width at half maximum refers to varying the drive frequency through the positive-frequency resonance. For a concrete failure of the unqualified squared-Lorentzian line shape claim, set while keeping . The full first-order resonant probability is times the one-lobe prediction. Weak radiation alone therefore does not justify dropping the second Fourier transform lobe.
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