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Resonant Driving

Resonant driving occurs when a time-dependent perturbation has frequency content close enough to a quantum transition frequency that amplitudes generated at different times add coherently. Resonance is therefore a dynamical regime, not a literal divergence. Its location, width, and eventual saturation depend on the drive envelope, observation time, coupling strength, neighboring levels, and environmental broadening.

This page owns that regime analysis. Harmonic Perturbations owns the general first-order calculation for sinusoidal drives. Rabi Oscillations: First Encounter owns the bounded coherent dynamics of an isolated driven two-level system, and Rabi Formula in the Weak-Drive Limit owns the asymptotic match to transition theory. The Rotating-Wave Approximation owns the approximation that discards rapidly rotating terms.

Rabi Oscillations owns the AMO experimental continuation: coupling and intensity conventions, pulse-area calibration, measured traces, chevrons, readout, and departures from the isolated square-pulse model.

Let the reference Hamiltonian have stationary states

H0lvertn⟩=Enlvertn⟩,H_0lvert n\rangle = E_nlvert n\rangle,

and define the Bohr angular frequency

ωfi=Ef−Eiℏ.\omega_{fi} = \frac{E_f-E_i}{\hbar}.

Consider a drive with carrier frequency ω\omega and real envelope f(t)f(t),

V(t)=f(t)(We−iωt+W†eiωt).V(t) = f(t) \left( W e^{-i\omega t} + W^\dagger e^{i\omega t} \right).

For an upward transition with ωfi>0\omega_{fi}\gt0, the nearly stationary contribution to the first-order amplitude is

cf,rot(1)(T)=−iℏWfi∫0Tdt f(t)eiΔt,Δ≡ωfi−ω,Wfi=⟨f∣W∣i⟩.\begin{aligned} c_{f,\mathrm{rot}}^{(1)}(T) &= -\frac{i}{\hbar} W_{fi} \int_0^T dt\, f(t)e^{i\Delta t}, \\ \Delta &\equiv \omega_{fi}-\omega, \qquad W_{fi}=\langle f\rvert W\lvert i\rangle. \end{aligned}

The quantity Δ\Delta is the detuning. Introduce the finite-duration Fourier amplitude

FT(Δ)≡∫0Tdt f(t)eiΔt.F_T(\Delta) \equiv \int_0^T dt\,f(t)e^{i\Delta t}.

Then

cf,rot(1)(T)=−iℏWfiFT(Δ).c_{f,\mathrm{rot}}^{(1)}(T) = -\frac{i}{\hbar}W_{fi}F_T(\Delta).

This compact equation contains the basic resonance mechanism:

  • WfiW_{fi} decides whether the transition is coupled at all;
  • FT(Δ)F_T(\Delta) measures how much drive spectrum lies at the transition frequency;
  • the phase of FTF_T matters in coherent interference experiments;
  • ∣FT∣2\lvert F_T\rvert^2 gives the first-order spectral line shape.

The counter-rotating term carries the much larger mismatch ωfi+ω\omega_{fi}+\omega for a positive-frequency near-resonant drive. Neglecting it is not part of the definition of resonance; it is an additional rotating-wave or averaging approximation whose validity must be checked.

The shorthand statement

ℏω≃Ef−Ei\hbar\omega \simeq E_f-E_i

means more than equality of two numbers. For a pulse of finite duration, useful resonance requires

∣Δ∣≲δωpulse,\lvert\Delta\rvert \lesssim \delta\omega_{\mathrm{pulse}},

where δωpulse\delta\omega_{\mathrm{pulse}} is the spectral width of the envelope. It also requires

Wfi≠0.W_{fi}\ne0.

A frequency match cannot overcome an exact selection-rule zero. Conversely, a nonzero matrix element does not guarantee a large transition if the drive spectrum has negligible weight at ωfi\omega_{fi}.

For a nearly monochromatic pulse of duration TT, the Fourier width is of order

δωpulse∼1T.\delta\omega_{\mathrm{pulse}} \sim \frac{1}{T}.

The numerical coefficient and the presence of sidelobes depend on the pulse shape. Saying only that a drive is “on resonance” is incomplete unless its envelope, duration, and frequency convention are specified.

Rectangular Pulse and Finite-Time Linewidth

Section titled “Rectangular Pulse and Finite-Time Linewidth”

Take a constant envelope switched on for 0≤t≤T0\le t\le T:

f(t)=1.f(t)=1.

The Fourier amplitude is

FT(Δ)=∫0Tdt eiΔt=eiΔT/2T sinc⁡(ΔT2),\begin{aligned} F_T(\Delta) &= \int_0^Tdt\,e^{i\Delta t} \\ &= e^{i\Delta T/2} T\, \operatorname{sinc} \left( \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right), \end{aligned}

where

sinc⁡u≡sin⁡uu,sinc⁡0=1.\operatorname{sinc}u \equiv \frac{\sin u}{u}, \qquad \operatorname{sinc}0=1.

The leading transition probability is therefore

Pi→f(1)(T)=∣Wfi∣2T2ℏ2sinc⁡2(ΔT2).P_{i\to f}^{(1)}(T) = \frac{\lvert W_{fi}\rvert^2T^2}{\hbar^2} \operatorname{sinc}^2 \left( \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right).

Define a positive coupling angular frequency by

Ω≡2∣Wfi∣ℏ.\Omega \equiv \frac{2\lvert W_{fi}\rvert}{\hbar}.

With this convention,

Pi→f(1)(T)=Ω2T24sinc⁡2(ΔT2).P_{i\to f}^{(1)}(T) = \frac{\Omega^2T^2}{4} \operatorname{sinc}^2 \left( \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right).

At exact resonance,

Pi→f(1)(T)⟶Ω2T24.P_{i\to f}^{(1)}(T) \longrightarrow \frac{\Omega^2T^2}{4}.

The apparent resonance denominator has disappeared. The correct Δ→0\Delta\to0 limit is finite at fixed time and grows quadratically because the amplitude accumulates linearly.

The nearest zeros satisfy

ΔT2=±π,\frac{\Delta T}{2} = \pm\pi,

so they occur at

Δzero=±2πT.\Delta_{\mathrm{zero}} = \pm\frac{2\pi}{T}.

The zero-to-zero angular-frequency width of the central lobe is therefore

δωzero=4πT.\delta\omega_{\mathrm{zero}} = \frac{4\pi}{T}.

Let u1/2u_{1/2} be the positive root of

sinc⁡2u1/2=12.\operatorname{sinc}^2u_{1/2} = \frac{1}{2}.

Numerically,

u1/2≃1.391557.u_{1/2} \simeq 1.391557.

The full width at half maximum is

δωFWHM=4u1/2T≃5.566T.\begin{aligned} \delta\omega_{\mathrm{FWHM}} &= \frac{4u_{1/2}}{T} \\ &\simeq \frac{5.566}{T}. \end{aligned}

In ordinary frequency ν=ω/(2π)\nu=\omega/(2\pi),

δνFWHM≃0.886T.\delta\nu_{\mathrm{FWHM}} \simeq \frac{0.886}{T}.

These coefficients belong specifically to the squared sinc profile of a rectangular pulse. They are not universal linewidth constants.

Finite-time resonance profile and the breakdown of first-order growth

Left: a rectangular pulse gives the normalized profile sinc⁡2(ΔT/2)\operatorname{sinc}^2(\Delta T/2), with first zeros at ΔT/2=±π\Delta T/2=\pm\pi and half-maximum points at approximately ±1.39\pm1.39. Right: on resonance, first-order theory agrees with sin⁡2(ΩT/2)\sin^2(\Omega T/2) only while ΩT\Omega T is small; the polynomial truncation is not bounded at long times.

Abrupt switching creates the sidelobes. They are a property of the rectangular time window, not extra energy levels. Smoother envelopes generally reduce sidelobes at the cost of a different central-lobe width.

The integrand in the rotating contribution is

eiΔt.e^{i\Delta t}.

At Δ=0\Delta=0, every time slice contributes with the same phase. If Δ≠0\Delta\ne0, the phase advances, and contributions from later parts of the pulse partially cancel earlier ones. The phase changes by order one after a time

tϕ∼1∣Δ∣.t_\phi \sim \frac{1}{\lvert\Delta\rvert}.

This gives a useful physical form of the resonance criterion:

T≲tϕ⟺∣Δ∣T≲1.T \lesssim t_\phi \quad\Longleftrightarrow\quad \lvert\Delta\rvert T \lesssim 1.

For a rectangular pulse, the probability is even in detuning,

P(1)(Δ)=P(1)(−Δ),P^{(1)}(\Delta) = P^{(1)}(-\Delta),

but the complex amplitude is not simply identical at opposite detunings because it includes the phase eiΔT/2e^{i\Delta T/2}. Ramsey interferometry, composite pulses, and coherent control can therefore be sensitive to the sign of detuning even when a single-pulse population measurement is not.

For a general weak pulse, the transition profile is

Pi→f(1)∝∣FT(Δ)∣2.P_{i\to f}^{(1)} \propto \lvert F_T(\Delta)\rvert^2.

Thus line shape is Fourier analysis of the actual envelope. As a clean comparison, take a Gaussian amplitude envelope extending effectively over all time,

f(t)=exp⁡[−(t−tc)22τ2].f(t) = \exp\left[ -\frac{(t-t_c)^2}{2\tau^2} \right].

Its transform is

F(Δ)=2π τeiΔtcexp⁡[−Δ2τ22].F(\Delta) = \sqrt{2\pi}\,\tau e^{i\Delta t_c} \exp\left[ -\frac{\Delta^2\tau^2}{2} \right].

The probability profile is Gaussian,

∣F(Δ)∣2=2πτ2e−Δ2τ2,\lvert F(\Delta)\rvert^2 = 2\pi\tau^2 e^{-\Delta^2\tau^2},

with angular-frequency full width at half maximum

δωFWHM=2ln⁡2τ.\delta\omega_{\mathrm{FWHM}} = \frac{2\sqrt{\ln2}}{\tau}.

The parameter τ\tau here is the standard deviation of the amplitude envelope as written. Different communities quote intensity widths, root-mean-square widths, or 1/e1/e widths; converting conventions is essential before comparing numerical linewidths.

Finite-time resolution is sometimes summarized as an energy–time uncertainty relation. No time operator is needed for this result. The width follows directly from the Fourier transform of the preparation and observation protocol; see Energy–Time Uncertainty for the distinctions among several energy–time statements.

Weak coupling does not by itself guarantee a uniformly valid approximation for arbitrarily long resonant driving. With the convention above, the first-order on-resonance amplitude has magnitude

∣cf(1)(T)∣=ΩT2.\lvert c_f^{(1)}(T)\rvert = \frac{\Omega T}{2}.

The corresponding perturbative requirement is

ΩT≪1.\Omega T \ll 1.

More generally, a useful finite-time expansion parameter for the selected transition is

ϵT(Δ)≡ΩT2∣sinc⁡(ΔT2)∣.\epsilon_T(\Delta) \equiv \frac{\Omega T}{2} \left\lvert \operatorname{sinc} \left( \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right) \right\rvert.

First-order transition theory requires

ϵT(Δ)≪1,\epsilon_T(\Delta) \ll 1,

together with small amplitudes into every other appreciably coupled state.

On exact resonance, successive Dyson terms also accumulate coherently. The expansion is nonuniform in time: terms small at fixed TT cease to be small when TT scales as 1/Ω1/\Omega. A prediction such as

Pi→f(1)(T)>1P_{i\to f}^{(1)}(T)\gt1

is not a physical probability. It is a diagnostic that the truncation has been used beyond its domain.

This is the same kind of secular behavior encountered elsewhere in perturbation theory. The cure is to resum the resonant dynamics, solve the relevant few-level problem, or use an effective Hamiltonian that treats the near-degenerate resonant subspace nonperturbatively.

For an isolated two-level system under a monochromatic drive, suppose a rotating-frame transformation and the rotating-wave approximation lead to

Heff=ℏ2(Δσz+Ωσx).H_{\mathrm{eff}} = \frac{\hbar}{2} \left( \Delta\sigma_z + \Omega\sigma_x \right).

This effective Hamiltonian is not the exact description of every resonantly driven system. Under its assumptions, however, the transition probability from one bare level to the other is

Pi→f(T)=Ω2ΩR2sin⁡2(ΩRT2),P_{i\to f}(T) = \frac{\Omega^2}{\Omega_R^2} \sin^2\left( \frac{\Omega_RT}{2} \right),

where

ΩR=Ω2+Δ2\Omega_R = \sqrt{\Omega^2+\Delta^2}

is the generalized Rabi angular frequency.

At exact resonance,

Pi→f(T)=sin⁡2(ΩT2).P_{i\to f}(T) = \sin^2\left( \frac{\Omega T}{2} \right).

Its short-time expansion is

Pi→f(T)=Ω2T24+O ⁣((ΩT)4),P_{i\to f}(T) = \frac{\Omega^2T^2}{4} + O\!\left((\Omega T)^4\right),

which reproduces first-order transition theory while remaining bounded when the perturbative polynomial fails.

For fixed nonzero detuning, fixed ΔT\Delta T, and weak coupling,

Pi→f(T)=Ω2Δ2sin⁡2(ΔT2)+O ⁣(Ω4Δ4).\begin{aligned} P_{i\to f}(T) &= \frac{\Omega^2}{\Delta^2} \sin^2\left( \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right) \\ &\quad +O\!\left( \frac{\Omega^4}{\Delta^4} \right). \end{aligned}

Using sinc⁡x=sin⁡x/x\operatorname{sinc}x=\sin x/x, the leading term is exactly

Ω2T24sinc⁡2(ΔT2).\frac{\Omega^2T^2}{4} \operatorname{sinc}^2 \left( \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right).

The exact and perturbative descriptions therefore overlap, but their small parameters must be stated. Near resonance the relevant condition is ΩT≪1\Omega T\ll1; far off resonance, the transition remains small when Ω/∣Δ∣≪1\Omega/\lvert\Delta\rvert\ll1. Over extremely long times, higher-order frequency shifts can still accumulate an order-one phase error even while the population transfer stays small.

The complete two-level interpretation, including Bloch-sphere geometry, is developed in Rabi Oscillations: First Encounter.

The resonant breakdown can also be expressed through pulse area. In a two-level rotating-wave model with fixed drive phase, let the coupling vary as Ω(t)\Omega(t). On exact resonance, the effective Hamiltonians at different times are proportional to the same Pauli matrix and therefore commute. Define

A≡∫t0t1dt Ω(t).\mathcal A \equiv \int_{t_0}^{t_1}dt\,\Omega(t).

The exact transition probability is then

Pi→f=sin⁡2(A2).P_{i\to f} = \sin^2\left( \frac{\mathcal A}{2} \right).

First order gives only

Pi→f(1)=A24.P_{i\to f}^{(1)} = \frac{\mathcal A^2}{4}.

The perturbative regime is ∣A∣≪1\lvert\mathcal A\rvert\ll1. A pulse with A=π\mathcal A=\pi is a population-inverting π\pi pulse in the ideal model, far outside first-order transition theory even if its instantaneous coupling is weak compared with the carrier frequency.

The pulse-area formula requires exact resonance and a fixed coupling axis. Detuning, phase modulation, chirp, counter-rotating corrections, additional levels, and dissipation generally make time ordering nontrivial.

The word “linewidth” can refer to different physical mechanisms. They should not be merged into a single 1/T1/T slogan.

OriginCharacteristic scaleTypical profileWhat it means
Finite interrogation or pulse duration1/T1/TEnvelope-dependent; sinc-squared for a rectangular pulseFourier-limited resolution of a coherent protocol
Lifetime and homogeneous dephasing1/T11/T_1 and 1/T21/T_2Often Lorentzian in a Markovian steady-state modelLoss of population or phase coherence
Strong continuous driveset by Ω\Omega together with relaxation ratesPower-broadened steady-state responseSaturation and driven dressed-state dynamics
Static or slowly varying disorderspread of transition frequenciesOften Gaussian or a convolutionInhomogeneous ensemble broadening
MotionDoppler or recoil scalesGeometry- and distribution-dependentFrequency shifts sampled across a velocity distribution

Only the first row is derived by the finite rectangular-pulse calculation. Homogeneous broadening and saturation require an open-system model such as the Optical Bloch Equations. Inhomogeneous broadening requires averaging over the relevant ensemble distribution.

An isolated, perfectly coherent two-level system under continuous drive does not settle into an irreversible transition rate. It undergoes Rabi oscillations. A constant rate emerges only after additional coarse graining, a continuum of final states, decoherence, stochasticity, or a specified measurement protocol. The continuum limit is treated in Fermi’s Golden Rule.

The bare condition ω=ωfi\omega=\omega_{fi} is a starting point. The observed peak may move because of

  • off-resonant coupling to other levels, producing AC Stark shifts;
  • counter-rotating terms, producing a Bloch–Siegert shift;
  • static fields and interactions that alter the level spacing;
  • Doppler, recoil, collisional, or medium-dependent effects;
  • calibration offsets in the drive and measurement chain.

These shifts are often second order in a weak coupling but become important precisely because modern spectroscopy can resolve frequencies much more accurately than the raw linewidth. A measured peak center should therefore be compared with the resonance condition of the full effective model, not automatically identified with the unperturbed gap.

A two-level approximation is justified only when the selected pair is spectrally and dynamically isolated. A useful scale estimate is

Beff∼max⁡{1T,∣Ω∣,Γ2},B_{\mathrm{eff}} \sim \max\left\{ \frac{1}{T}, \lvert\Omega\rvert, \Gamma_2 \right\},

where Γ2\Gamma_2 denotes a representative coherence-decay rate when an open-system description is present. For every unwanted state ∣n⟩\lvert n\rangle, one wants either a symmetry-forbidden matrix element or a detuning satisfying roughly

Beff≪∣ωni−ω∣.B_{\mathrm{eff}} \ll \lvert\omega_{ni}-\omega\rvert.

If several levels lie inside the effective bandwidth, the drive addresses a resonant manifold rather than one isolated transition. One must retain and diagonalize that coupled subspace. Dark states, bright states, interference among pathways, and Autler–Townes structure can then appear.

The leading order also matters. A one-photon transition uses the condition ω≃ωfi\omega\simeq\omega_{fi} in first order. A multiphoton resonance may instead satisfy

mω≃ωfi,m\omega \simeq \omega_{fi},

for an integer m>1m\gt1, but its amplitude arises at higher order and involves intermediate-state denominators. Dyson Expansion for Transition Amplitudes provides the appropriate pathway bookkeeping.

In weak-drive spectroscopy, scanning ω\omega and recording a transition signal probes

∣Wfi∣2∣FT(ωfi−ω)∣2,\lvert W_{fi}\rvert^2 \lvert F_T(\omega_{fi}-\omega)\rvert^2,

modified by state preparation, detection efficiency, broadening, and shifts. The peak location estimates a transition frequency only after those effects are modeled. The peak area and height are not interchangeable: changing pulse duration can narrow the line while changing its height, even when the underlying matrix element is fixed.

The historical experimental logic is developed in Spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance. The CW, pulsed, relaxation, and detector forward models are organized in Magnetic Resonance Overview.

  1. Specify the reference spectrum. Record the states, gaps, degeneracies, and conventions for angular versus ordinary frequency.
  2. Write the actual drive. Include its operator, polarization, carrier phase, envelope, switching, and duration.
  3. Compute matrix elements. Apply selection rules before discussing resonance enhancement.
  4. List every relevant detuning. Include the rotating, counter-rotating, neighboring-level, and possible multiphoton mismatches.
  5. Fourier analyze the envelope. Use FT(Δ)F_T(\Delta) rather than inserting an exact delta function at finite time.
  6. Name the linewidth mechanism. Distinguish Fourier width, homogeneous width, inhomogeneous width, and drive-induced broadening.
  7. Check the accumulated coupling. Near resonance, test ΩT\Omega T or the pulse area, not only the instantaneous ratio Ω/ω\Omega/\omega.
  8. Escalate the model when needed. Use exact few-level dynamics, a rotating-frame effective Hamiltonian, Floquet theory, or an open-system equation according to the failed assumption.
  9. Report the observable. State whether the calculation predicts a complex amplitude, a population after a pulse, a steady-state signal, or a transition rate.
  • Calling the resonance denominator infinite. At finite time the integral has a smooth sinc⁡\operatorname{sinc} limit; the divergent-looking expression came from an algebraic form used before taking Δ→0\Delta\to0.
  • Equating weak drive with valid first order forever. Resonant amplitudes accumulate, so ΩT\Omega T can become order one even when Ω/ωfi\Omega/\omega_{fi} is tiny.
  • Treating 1/T1/T as an intrinsic lifetime width. A finite pulse produces Fourier width even in a perfectly closed system.
  • Using a delta function for one discrete final state. The long-time delta distribution becomes useful after integration over a smooth continuum, not as a literal finite-time probability for an isolated level.
  • Ignoring the drive envelope. Hard and smooth switching have different sidelobes and linewidth coefficients.
  • Forgetting matrix elements. Resonance enhances an allowed pathway; it does not erase symmetry constraints.
  • Conflating the Rabi and rotating-wave approximations. Rabi oscillations are dynamics within a model; the rotating-wave approximation is one possible step used to obtain that model.
  • Quoting a linewidth without a convention. Half width, full width, angular frequency, ordinary frequency, amplitude width, and intensity width differ by numerical factors.

For

R(Δ)=sinc⁡2(ΔT2),R(\Delta) = \operatorname{sinc}^2 \left( \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right),

find the first zeros and the full width at half maximum. You may use the numerical root u1/2=1.391557u_{1/2}=1.391557 of sinc⁡2u=1/2\operatorname{sinc}^2u=1/2.

Solution

The first zeros occur when

ΔT2=±π,\frac{\Delta T}{2} = \pm\pi,

so

Δ=±2πT.\Delta = \pm\frac{2\pi}{T}.

The zero-to-zero width is 4π/T4\pi/T. At half maximum,

∣ΔT2∣=u1/2.\left\lvert \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right\rvert = u_{1/2}.

The two half-maximum detunings are Δ=±2u1/2/T\Delta=\pm2u_{1/2}/T, giving

δωFWHM=4u1/2T≃5.566T.\delta\omega_{\mathrm{FWHM}} = \frac{4u_{1/2}}{T} \simeq \frac{5.566}{T}.

Dividing by 2π2\pi gives δνFWHM≃0.886/T\delta\nu_{\mathrm{FWHM}}\simeq0.886/T.

On resonance, compare the first-order prediction

P(1)(T)=Ω2T24P^{(1)}(T) = \frac{\Omega^2T^2}{4}

with the exact two-level result P(T)=sin⁡2(ΩT/2)P(T)=\sin^2(\Omega T/2). Through what order in ΩT\Omega T do they agree, and at what time scale must first order fail?

Solution

Using

sin⁡2x=x2−x43+O(x6),\sin^2x = x^2-\frac{x^4}{3}+O(x^6),

with x=ΩT/2x=\Omega T/2 gives

P(T)=Ω2T24−Ω4T448+O ⁣((ΩT)6).P(T) = \frac{\Omega^2T^2}{4} - \frac{\Omega^4T^4}{48} + O\!\left((\Omega T)^6\right).

The probabilities agree through order (ΩT)2(\Omega T)^2. The relative correction becomes order one when ΩT∼1\Omega T\sim1, so the resonant perturbative time scale is

Tbreak∼1Ω.T_{\mathrm{break}} \sim \frac{1}{\Omega}.

The exact result remains between zero and one; the polynomial truncation does not.

For a rectangular pulse, show that when Δ≠0\Delta\ne0 the leading probability obeys

Pi→f(1)(T)≤Ω2Δ2.P_{i\to f}^{(1)}(T) \le \frac{\Omega^2}{\Delta^2}.

What time-independent small parameter does this suggest far from resonance?

Solution

Rewrite the probability as

Pi→f(1)(T)=Ω2Δ2sin⁡2(ΔT2).P_{i\to f}^{(1)}(T) = \frac{\Omega^2}{\Delta^2} \sin^2\left( \frac{\Delta T}{2} \right).

Since 0≤sin⁡2x≤10\le\sin^2x\le1,

Pi→f(1)(T)≤Ω2Δ2.P_{i\to f}^{(1)}(T) \le \frac{\Omega^2}{\Delta^2}.

Far from resonance, Ω/∣Δ∣≪1\Omega/\lvert\Delta\rvert\ll1 keeps the transition small even for observation times much longer than 1/Ω1/\Omega. This contrasts with exact resonance, where the relevant parameter is ΩT\Omega T.

For

f(t)=exp⁡[−t22τ2],f(t) = \exp\left[ -\frac{t^2}{2\tau^2} \right],

show that the probability line shape is proportional to e−Δ2τ2e^{-\Delta^2\tau^2} and find its full width at half maximum.

Solution

The Gaussian Fourier transform is

F(Δ)=∫−∞∞dt e−t2/(2τ2)eiΔt=2π τe−Δ2τ2/2.\begin{aligned} F(\Delta) &= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}dt\, e^{-t^2/(2\tau^2)}e^{i\Delta t} \\ &= \sqrt{2\pi}\,\tau e^{-\Delta^2\tau^2/2}. \end{aligned}

Therefore

∣F(Δ)∣2=2πτ2e−Δ2τ2.\lvert F(\Delta)\rvert^2 = 2\pi\tau^2e^{-\Delta^2\tau^2}.

Half maximum requires

e−Δ2τ2=12,e^{-\Delta^2\tau^2} = \frac{1}{2},

so the half-maximum points are

Δ=±ln⁡2τ.\Delta = \pm\frac{\sqrt{\ln2}}{\tau}.

Hence

δωFWHM=2ln⁡2τ.\delta\omega_{\mathrm{FWHM}} = \frac{2\sqrt{\ln2}}{\tau}.

Two allowed transitions from the same initial state have angular frequencies separated by δ\delta. A rectangular pulse of duration TT is tuned to the first transition. Give a conservative condition based on the first zero that places the second transition outside the central resonance lobe. What additional condition is needed if the drive is strong?

Solution

The first zero occurs at detuning magnitude 2π/T2\pi/T. Placing the neighboring line at or beyond that zero requires

δ≳2πT.\delta \gtrsim \frac{2\pi}{T}.

This is a pulse-resolution condition, not a complete two-level criterion. The drive-induced coupling scale must also be small compared with the neighboring detuning, approximately

Ω≪δ,\Omega \ll \delta,

and any homogeneous or inhomogeneous broadening should likewise be much smaller than δ\delta. Otherwise the neighboring level can participate despite the nominal Fourier resolution.

A spectral line narrows when the pulse duration is doubled, but stops narrowing once TT greatly exceeds a measured coherence time T2T_2. Explain the two regimes and why the final width should not be called Fourier limited.

Solution

For short pulses, the envelope bandwidth is large, so increasing TT reduces the transform-limited width approximately as 1/T1/T. Once T≫T2T\gg T_2, phase coherence is lost before the pulse ends. Extending the pulse no longer increases the coherent accumulation time, and homogeneous dephasing sets a width of order 1/T21/T_2 under the relevant line-shape convention.

The saturated width is therefore dynamical rather than purely Fourier limited. A quantitative profile requires the open-system model and its definitions of T1T_1, T2T_2, drive strength, and steady-state or pulsed measurement protocol.

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