Vacuum-induced coherences in radiatively coupled multilevel systems - art.no. 043805

We show that radiative coupling between two multilevel atoms having near-de generate states can produce new interference effects in spontaneous emissio n. We explicitly demonstrate this possibility by considering two identical V systems each having a pair of transition dipole matrix elements that are orthogonal to each other. We discuss in detail the origin of the new interf erence terms and their consequences. Such terms lead to the evolution of ce rtain coherences and excitations that would not occur otherwise. The specia l choice of the orientation of the transition dipole matrix elements enable s us to illustrate the significance of vacuum-induced coherence in multiato m multilevel systems. These coherences can be significant in energy transfe r studies.