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arXiv:2201.13368 · New Journal of Physics

A quantum model of lasing without inversion

Nicholas Werren, Erik M. Gauger, Peter Kirton

Published Aug 26, 2022• 7 citations

Abstract

Abstract Starting from a quantum description of multiple Λ-type three-level atoms driven with a coherent microwave field and incoherent optical pumping, we derive a microscopic model of lasing from which we move towards a consistent macroscopic picture. Our analysis applies across the range of system sizes from nanolasers to the thermodynamic limit of conventional lasing. We explore the necessary conditions to achieve lasing without inversion in certain regimes by calculating the non-equilibrium steady state solutions of the model at, and between, its microscopic and macroscopic limits. For the macroscopic picture, we use mean-field theory to present a thorough analysis of the lasing phase transition. In the microscopic case, we exploit the underlying permutation symmetry of the density matrix to calculate exact solutions for N three-level systems. This allows us to show that the steady state solutions approach the thermodynamic limit as N increases, restoring the sharp non-equilibrium phase transition in this limit. We demonstrate how the lasing phase transition and degree of population inversion can be adjusted by simply varying the phase of the coherent driving field. The high level of quantum control presented by this microscopic model and the framework outlined here have applications to further understanding and developing nanophotonic technology.

DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/ac8d27

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Abstract Starting from a quantum description of multiple Λ-type three-level atoms driven with a coherent microwave field and incoherent optical pumping, we derive a microscopic model of lasing from which we move towards a consistent macroscopic picture. Our analysis applies across the range of system sizes from nanolasers to the thermodynamic limit of conventional lasing. We explore the necessary conditions to achieve lasing without inversion in certain regimes by calculating the non-equilibrium steady state solutions of the model at, and between, its microscopic and macroscopic limits. For the macroscopic picture, we use mean-field theory to present a thorough analysis of the lasing phase transition. In the microscopic case, we exploit the underlying permutation symmetry of the density matrix to calculate exact solutions for N three-level systems. This allows us to show that the steady state solutions approach the thermodynamic limit as N increases, restoring the sharp non-equilibrium phase transition in this limit. We demonstrate how the lasing phase transition and degree of population inversion can be adjusted by simply varying the phase of the coherent driving field. The high level of quantum control presented by this microscopic model and the framework outlined here have applications to further understanding and developing nanophotonic technology.

Considerable attention has been directed recently to the study of lasing without the need of population inversion. The optical coherence and quantum interference associated with the light amplification may lead to interesting statistical properties in inversionless lasers. Here we analyze a laser model that consists of an ensemble of closed multi-level (three or four levels) atoms driven by a single coherent field. Unlike conventional lasers where population inversion is maintained and kept at the threshold value for arbitrary laser output, the multi-level laser analyzed here can start lasing from population inversion and evolves from population inversion into non-inversion with the increasing atomic pumping. In other words, the system makes transition from light amplification by population inversion into light amplification by coherence. On the other hand, the system can be also made to start lasing without population inversion in any state basis. In both cases, initial inversion and non-inversion, which are controlled by the ratio of spontaneous decay rates, the laser well above threshold is always maintained by lasing without inversion (light amplification by coherence), and the laser intensity fluctuations may drop below the shot noise limit. Two factors contribute to the noise reduction: first, the disappearance of the population inversion leads to the depleted atomic population in the upper lasing state, which reduces the spontaneous emission noises; second, the fast coherent cycling of electrons between excited states leads to the highly regulated absorption and emission processes. We found that the combination of these two mechanisms can lead to the noise reduction in the laser output more than 50% below the shot-noise limit.

Noninversion lasing is investigated in \ensuremath{\Lambda}-type three-level atomic systems that are coupled to two modes of the electromagnetic field. As a result of an external field driving the transition between the lower two closely spaced levels, laser action can be achieved in both modes simultaneously at arbitrarily small initial upper-level population (lasing without inversion) provided the pumping rate exceeds a certain threshold. The relative phase of the two modes is locked to a particular value controlled by the phase of the external field. In addition, new regimes of the laser operation arise when initial coherences between various atomic levels are also injected into the resonator. Firstly, laser action can be achieved in both modes at arbitrarily small pumping (no threshold). Secondly, the injected atomic coherence can control competition between the modes, and result in a variety of multistable steady-state behavior illustrating the very sensitive dynamics of the system.

The LWI operation condition for an open Λ-type three level atomic system is obtained by solving the steady-state density-matrix equation with the system being driven by a strong coherent field while the inherent pumping rate and decay rate being arbitrary.It is shown that the inversions of inherent pumping rate and spontaneous decay rate replace the inversion of population,and together help to realize lasing without population inversion.Furthermore,the LWI can be realized if just either one of the two inversions is fulfilled.A schrodinger equation of three-level atomic system with appropriate conditions is analytically solved to explain the quantum interference process that leads to LWI.

We show lasing without population inversion in a closed four-level atomic system which is no longer incoherently pumped on the transition at which lasing occurs. The four-level system can overcome some limits in the typical lambda-type and V-type three-level systems, furthermore it is possible to achieve lasing even in the absence of the inversion condition for the thermal radiation fields or of the inversion of spontaneous decay rate. We find that when the detuning of probe field is equal to that of coherent coupling field, there is a peak value along with the increase of the detuning. To explain it, we bring forward that there are adiabatic and nonadiabatic stimulated Raman processes when a three-level atomic system is interacted with two coherent fields, so there are two mechanisms influencing the change of probe field. We believe that it can explain more general lasing without inversion processes because of quantum interference induced by coherent fields.

A dressed-state study of lasing without population inversion from a three-level atom interacting with a bi-chromatic laser field in the ladder configuration is presented. In our model we allow the atom to be dressed by both of the coupling and probe fields. The system under consideration is explored both analytically and numerically within the steady-state regime. A parameter study is performed in which we explore the influence of the change of control parameters (Rabi frequencies and incoherent pump rates, etc) on the system behaviour. The parameter study also applies to situations where both coherent fields have comparable intensities. Expressions for steady-state populations and coherences are derived, from which the constraints on the system control parameters allowing gain or absorption of various types, are calculated. The system is demonstrated to possess gain without inversion (GWI), as well as regular gain with inversion, for the appropriate choice of system control parameters. Inversion without lasing (IWL) is also found. The dressed-state approach offers a different insight into the system dynamics in which Rabi oscillations and spectral features appear natural. We believe that the dressed-state approach provides a more adequate description of the system dynamics than that provided by the bare state basis.