One-photon wavepacket interacting with a two-level atom in a waveguide: Constraint on the pulse shape

We study theoretically the temporal shaping effects experienced by a one-photon wavepacket propagating in a one-dimensional waveguide containing a two-level atom. We show that the transmitted field distorts such that its pulse area (time integral of electric field amplitude) vanishes. As a consequence, specific pulses with initial zero pulse area are shown to be robust with respect to propagation whereas pulses with initial non-vanishing pulse area are shown to be more sensitive, leading to significant distortion after propagation.

► The propagation of one-photon wavepacket in a waveguide is studied in the temporal domain. ► The transmitted field distorts such that its pulse area (time integral of electric field amplitude) vanishes. ► Pulses with complex shapes can be transmitted with little or strong distortion depending on their initial pulse area.