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Physical review. B, Condensed matter

Theory of a type of quantum amplification: Phase-sensitive amplification by frequency upconversion

F. F. Popescu

Published Jun 15, 1995• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

It is shown that the spectroscopic bridge, a recently proposed method to achieve high-efficiency microwave oscillators and phase-sensitive detectors, may be used in a spin multiplet of certain paramagnetic ions to obtain a type of microwave quantum amplification: phase-sensitive amplification by frequency upconversion. This operation of a solid-state maser without population inversion is based on a principle similar to that used for achieving amplification in a transistor (triode). The major differences between this amplification and the parametric amplification, or the usual double-resonance maser action, are discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.51.18007

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It is shown that the spectroscopic bridge, a recently proposed method to achieve high-efficiency microwave oscillators and phase-sensitive detectors, may be used in a spin multiplet of certain paramagnetic ions to obtain a type of microwave quantum amplification: phase-sensitive amplification by frequency upconversion. This operation of a solid-state maser without population inversion is based on a principle similar to that used for achieving amplification in a transistor (triode). The major differences between this amplification and the parametric amplification, or the usual double-resonance maser action, are discussed.
Analytic steady-state solutions of the density-matrix equation are derived by means of a formalism suitable for multilevel spin systems in dilute paramagnetic solids at high temperature and subjected to several strong fields. It is shown that solid-state masers without inversion may be obtained in the presence of one, two, or three quasimonochromatic strong fields at resonance. In the usual cases of two fields, the maser action with or without inversion cannot achieve high-efficiency microwave generation or detection, since for strong emitted fields, the saturating and nonlinear effects are strong too. On the contrary, whenever three frequency-correlated fields fulfill the ``spectroscopic bridge'' conditions, the saturating effects do not occur, and linear effects prevail, even when all these fields are strong. In this case, high-efficiency microwave generations or phase-sensitive detections may be achieved.
Methods using harmonic spin coupling for operating solid-state masers with signal frequencies higher than the pump frequency are discussed. Expressions for the population inversion ratios are presented, and the maximum signal-to-pump-frequency ratios are calculated. Experimental data is presented on a ruby maser which is operated using the symmetrical method. Amplification was obtained at signal frequencies from 10,320 to 10,740 Mc, using pump frequencies ranging from 9580 to 9670 Mc. An experiment in which maser operation is obtained simultaneously at two frequencies is described.
The development of masers in the 1950s made possible amplifiers that were much quieter than other contemporary amplifiers. An analysis of narrow-band yields a fundamental theorem (Caves theorem) for phase-insensitive linear amplifiers; it requires that such an amplifier, will add noise as large as half-quantum of zero-point fluctuations. For phase-sensitive linear amplifiers the theorem establish a lower limit on the product of the noises added to the two phases. In the last decade it was shown theoretically that solid-state masers without inversion may be obtained in multilevel spin systems in dilute paramagnetic solids at high temperature subjected to several strong microwave fields. In the present paper the authors apply the Caves theorem to the maser without inversion in order to find out the best ways in which the proposed device can work.
A role of electron paramagnetic resonance in development of quantum electronics is discussed. Basic principles and history of masers are briefly described. Spin-levels of paramagnetic ions in crystals as a very suitable object for active media of solid-state masers (called as EPR-masers) and physical processes in EPR-masers (population inversion of energy states) are analyzed. This analysis demonstrates a significant role of relaxation processes in multi-level spin-systems for efficient maser action. In this context peculiarities of spin-lattice and spin-spin cross relaxation processes in multi-level systems are analyzed. Development of EPR-masers and their application in radioastronomy and far-space communication systems are briefly described.
Since the demonstration of the possibility of achieving very low noise amplification of signals in the centimetric wavebands, a great deal of work has been carried out in various laboratories with a view to producing and testing devices. The major part of the present article focuses attention on one particular device, the three-level solid-state maser. The physical principles underlying the process of stimulated emission of radiation are in many cases unfamiliar to electronic engineers, and study of the growing literature on the subject can be confusing without a clear understanding of the physics involved. The present article outlines the general theory of emission and radiation processes, particularly as they apply to the microwave spectrum. A quantum mechanical description is employed throughout, and a brief and not very rigorous account is given of the relevant portions of this theory as it applies to the investigation of transistors between energy levels. Well-known expressions are derived for the operating characteristics of a three-level maser, particular attention being given to the significance of the various factors involved and their relationship to easily measured quantities. Little information is included concerning practical maser amplifiers; at the time of writing, few practical devices had been constructed. A survey of recent literature indicates the rapid progress which has since been made, and shows the interest in the development of masers.
In the case when the pumping transition in a three-level system of a molecule does not exactly coincide with the output frequency of a maser oscillator, four different types of operation at off-resonance of the three-level maser detector are discussed. At first the use of pressure broadening is considered; secondly a method which observes the double-quantum transition and thirdly the other method which measures a change in population caused by the double-quantum pumping are considered, and finally the level shift due to the far-infrared input is considered. It is found that the third method of double-quantum pumping in which three waves are involved is the most sensitive. The minimum detectable power of order 10-6W/cm2 with the resolving time of about 10-6s is expected in detecting the maser output at the far-infrared which differs from the resonant frequency of the detector by as large as 10 GHz.