Theory of Quantum-Beat and Level-Crossing Experiments Utilizing Electronic Excitation
Robert L. Kelly · Physical Review · 1966
The coherent excitation of several atomic states by inelastic electron scattering and their subsequent radiative decay is considered. General expressions are derived for the photon counting rate in a quantum-beat experiment, and for the total number of photons counted in a level-crossing experiment. The general results are used to calculate the phase of the oscillatory part of the photon counting rate in the Hadeishi-Nierenberg quantum-beat experiment.