Phonon Signatures in Photon Correlations

Abstract: We show that the second-order, two-time correlation functions for phonons and photons emitted from a vibronic molecule in a thermal bath result in bunching and anti-bunching (a purely quantum effect), respectively. Signatures relating to phonon exchange with the environment are revealed in photon-photon correlations. We demonstrate that cross-correlation functions have a strong dependence on the order of detection giving insight into how phonon dynamics influences the emission of light. This work offers new opportunities to investigate quantum effects in condensed-phase molecular systems.