Dissipation and decoherence in the generalized Jaynes-Cummings model

In this paper, we present a simple approach for understanding some general aspects of the irreversible dynamics of the generalized Jaynes-Cummings model. By working in the dressed-state representation, it is possible to split the dynamics of populations and coherences. Then it can be shown that the coherence dynamics may present localization and dispersivelike decay behavior, whereas the population dynamics are characterized in terms of a classical diffusive process. These phenomena are studied by developing a perturbation theory that provides simple analytical results that could be applicable to any general source of irreversibility in the Jaynes-Cummings model. As an application, we extend and analytically characterize our previous reported results on heating and decoherence in trapped ions [Phys. Rev. A 65, 041402 (2002)].