Quantum statistics of overlapping modes in open resonators (6 pages)

Marco Merkli, Haifeng Song

Gregor Hackenbroich, Carlos Viviescas, Fritz Haake

We study the quantum dynamics of optical fields in weakly confining resonators with overlapping modes. Employing a recently developed quantization scheme involving a discrete set of resonator modes and continua of external modes we derive Langevin equations and a master equation for the resonator modes. Langevin dynamics and the master equation are proved to be equivalent in the Markovian limit. Our open-resonator dynamics may be used as a starting point for a quantum theory of random lasers.

H. A. Haus

Carlos Viviescas, Gregor Hackenbroich

We study the quantum properties of the electromagnetic field in optical cavities coupled to an arbitrary number of escape channels. We consider both inhomogeneous dielectric resonators with a scalar dielectric constant $\ensuremath{\epsilon}(\mathbf{r})$ and cavities defined by mirrors of arbitrary shape. Using the Feshbach projector technique we quantize the field in terms of a set of resonator and bath modes. We rigorously show that the field Hamiltonian reduces to the system-and-bath Hamiltonian of quantum optics. The field dynamics is investigated using the input-output theory of Gardiner and Collet. In the case of strong coupling to the external radiation field we find spectrally overlapping resonator modes. The mode dynamics is coupled due to the damping and noise inflicted by the external field. For wave chaotic resonators the mode dynamics is determined by a non-Hermitean random matrix. Upon including an amplifying medium, our dynamics of open-resonator modes may serve as a starting point for a quantum theory of random lasing.

L. E. Reichl, W. A. Lin

R. G. Nazmitdinov, K. N. Pichugin, I. Rotter +1 more

The poles of the S matrix and the wave functions of open two-dimensional quantum billiards with convex boundary of different shape are calculated by using the method of complex scaling. Two leads are attached to the cavities. The conductance of the cavities is calculated at energies with one, two, and three open channels in each lead. Bands of overlapping resonance states appear that are localized along the convex boundary of the cavities and contribute coherently to the conductance. These bands correspond to the whispering gallery modes known from classical calculations.