Quantum-trajectory approach to cavity quantum electrodynamics with up to three-atom collective effects

We present a quantum-trajectory treatment of the dynamics of a high-Q cavity mode interacting with a low-density atomic beam in the strong coupling regime. We consider up to three-atom collective effects, and evaluate their contribution to the destabilization of cavity field trapping states for mean number of atoms in the cavity both much smaller than one (micromaser or microlaser), and on the order of one (approaching a mesoscopic regime). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.