Eigenvalues and Eigenstates of Quantum Rabi Model

Abstract

The scientific interest in the analytical solution of the quantum Rabi model is due to the widespread use of this simple model in quantum optics, quantum computing, cavity QED, and nanoelectromechanical systems. This interest is related to the need for the theoretical description of the interaction of a two-level system with a quantum oscillator in the case when the rotating wave approximation fails. In this Letter, we present an approach to the exact diagonalization of the quantum Rabi Hamiltonian. This approach is based on the properties of the Pauli operators and allows us to readily solve the stationary Schrodinger equation for a two-level system. First, we demonstrate the applicability of the approach to the Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian to get the well-known solution. Then, we obtain the eigenvalues and eigenstates for the quantum Rabi Hamiltonian using the proposed approach. It is shown that the obtained eigenstates can be represented in the basis of the eigenstates of the Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian.