Destructive interference effects in two distant three-level V-type systems

We study the impact of destructive interference on the collective dynamics of two distant three-level V-type systems coupled to a waveguide in a strong-coupling regime in which the rotating-wave approximation (RWA) and Markovian approximation are inapplicable. By employing a polaronlike unitary transformation, we derive a transformed RWA Hamiltonian and combine it with the resolvent operator to study the non-Markovian dynamics and derive the condition under which the bound states exist due to the destructive interference, which can be realized by tuning the distance between the two V systems. We use a time-dependent variational approach with the multiple Davydov ansatz to numerically validate the analytical predictions and reveal the dynamical signature of bound states. We illustrate that the populations of symmetric and antisymmetric single-excitation states can be trapped in the long-time limit due to the bound states or possess a long lifetime due to subradiance. Moreover, the excitation probability can exhibit long-lived oscillation due to the coexistence of a bound state and a subradiant state. Our results offer insights into the destructive interference in distant multilevel emitters in a strong-coupling regime.