Direct observation of field quantization

Abstract

We have studied a recent experiment reported in [1] which manifests the discrete nature of the electromagnetic field inside a cavity. There, it is observed the coupling of atoms to the e.m. field. We have reproduced the calculations leading to the observation of discrete transition frequencies between two states of the atom. These frequencies are proportional to the square root of successive integers, which is a direct evidence of field quantization. Also, we have discussed the validity of the approximations that we have made.