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Symbolic Quantum-Trajectory Method for Multichannel Dicke Superradiance

Raphael Holzinger1,2,*, Nico S. Bassler3, Julian Lyne4,5, Susanne F. Yelin2, and Claudiu Genes3,4,†

  • *Contact author: raphael.holzinger@uibk.ac.at
  • †Contact author: claudiu.genes@physik.tu-darmstadt.de

Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 193602 – Published 6 November, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/5qcc-wfv6

Abstract

We solve Dicke superradiance with two or more competing collective decay channels of tunable rates using a symbolic quantum-trajectory construction. The method yields closed time-domain populations and observables as finite combinations of exponential terms for arbitrary numbers of emitters and arbitrary decay rates. For two channels, the behavior of the stationary ground-state distribution resembles a first-order phase transition at the point where the channel-rate ratio is equal to unity. For balanced d-channel decay, we obtain scaling laws for the superradiant peak time and intensity. These results unify and extend single-channel Dicke dynamics to multilevel emitters and provide a compact tool for cavity and waveguide experiments, where permutation-symmetric reservoirs engineer multiple collective decay paths.

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