Transient dynamics of subradiance and superradiance in open optical ensembles

Abstract: We introduce a computational Maxwell-Bloch framework for investigating out-of-equilibrium optical emitters in open systems. To do so, we compute the pulse-induced dynamics of each emitter from fundamental light-matter interactions and self-consistently calculate their radiative coupling, including phase inhomogeneity from propagation effects. This semiclassical framework is applied to open quantum dots systems with different densities and dipolar coupling. We observe signatures of superradiant behavior, such as directionality and faster decay, as well as subradiant emission. We compare and discuss the computed light emission obtained with our method and a Master equation approach. Our framework enables quantitative investigations of large optical ensembles in the time domain and could be used to design new systems with enhanced superradiant and subradiant properties.