GENERAL-PROPERTIES OF QUANTUM OPTICAL-SYSTEMS IN A STRONG-FIELD LIMIT

We investigate the dynamics of an arbitrary atomic system (n-level ato m or many n-level atoms) interacting with a resonant quantized mode of an electromagnetic field in a lossless cavity. Initially, the field i s taken in a coherent state with a large average photon number. If the initial atomic state is chosen as an eigenstate of the atomic Hamilto nian in the classical field limit (semiclassical eigenstates), then th e evolution of the system wave function is approximately factorized in to the field and atomic parts. Explicit analytical expressions are giv en for the factorized wave functions. The time evolution of an arbitra ry initial atomic state can be fully described in terms of factorized states. As examples, we discuss trapping states, and collapses and rev ivals of the atomic energy.