Exact solution of generalized Tavis-Cummings models in quantum optics

Quantum inverse methods are developed for the exact solution of models which describe N two-level atoms interacting with one mode of the quantized electromagnetic field containing an arbitrary number of excitations M. Either a Kerr-type nonlinearity or a Stark-shift term can be included in the model, and it is shown that these two cases can be mapped from one to the other. The method of solution provides a general framework within which many related problems can similarly be solved. Explicit formulae are given for the Rabi splitting of the models for some N and M, on- and off-resonance. It is also shown that the solution of the pure Tavis-Cummings model can be reduced to solving a homogeneous ordinary differential equation of second order. Generalization of the method to the case of several cavity modes is indicated.