Normal-mode splitting and linewidth averaging for two-state atoms in an optical cavity

Author :M. G. Raizen, R. J. Thompson, R. J. Brecha, H. J. Kimble, and H. J. Carmichael
Publication :Physical Review Letters
Volume :63
Number :3
Pages :240-243
Year :1989

An investigation of the radiative processes for a collection of N two-state atoms strongly coupled to the field of a high-finesse optical cavity is presented. Observations of the spectral response of the composite system to weak external modulation reveal a coupling-induced normal-mode splitting. Linewidth averaging leads to linewidths below the free-space atomic width.