Strong Correlation of Fluorescence Photons without Quantum Interference

It has been predicted that a driven three-level V atom can emit strongly correlated fluorescence photons in the presence of quantum interference. Here we examine the effects of quantum interference on the intensity correlation of fluorescence photons emitted from a driven three-level A atom. Unexpectedly, strong correlation occurs without quantum interference. The quantum interference tends to reduce the correlation function to a normal level. The essential difference between these two cases is traced to the different effects of quantum interference on coherent population trapping （OPT）. For the V atom, quantum interference and coherent excitation combine to lead to OPT. For the A atom, however, the quantum interference tends to spoil OPT while the coherent excitation induces the effect.