Stochastic initiation of superradiance in a cavity: An approximation scheme within quantum trajectory theory

We investigate the stochastic initiation of superradiant emission from a collection of excited two-state atoms coupled through a low-Q cavity mode. Noncollective emission into other modes of the electromagnetic field is included, allowing us to describe the transition from predominantly noncollective to collective behavior as the number of atoms is increased. We examine the dependence of the photon statistics on the number of atoms and the ratio of collective to noncollective decay rates. Numerical results for a few to 10⁶ atoms are obtained using an approximation scheme developed within the framework of quantum trajectory theory. Results are compared with those for a pure collective emission process and an earlier treatment of noncollective effects.