A non-markov model of cavity radiation and its detection

Some of the implications of non-Markov evolution of cavity radiation and its detection are examined. The cavity photons are modelled as members of a population governed by a Bellman-Harris process supported by immigration. Further it is assumed that there is a detector near the cavity and the photosensitive atoms of the detector absorb the photons with a uniform probability ƞ per unit time. Explicit expressions for the first two moments of the equilibrium cavity distribution are provided. A general formula for the spectral profile is also given. The Markov model of Shepherd is recovered as a special case. A detailed analysis is provided for a special case in which the photon is assumed to go through two hypothetical phases before it gives rise to cavity absorption or stimulated emission. A noteworthy feature is the persistence of bunching, although the bunching is less than that of chaotic light. © 1986 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.