We derive the Bloch equations for a two-level system coupled to a spin bath of infinitely many two-level atoms to examine phase and energy relaxation of an optically excited system. We show that increasing temperature assists coherence. This is reflected in a number of anomalous features of relaxation of the system, e.g., decrease of integrated absorption coefficient with temperature, nonlinear variation of linewidth with incident power. We also predict that thermally induced coherence may result in anomalous narrowing of linewidth, reminiscent (but distinct) of "motional narrowing" of spectral line. The theoretical results are discussed in the light of absorption-emission experiments on single quantum dots.
© 2011 American Institute of Physics.