Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General

Quantum theory of multiphoton lasers. I. Systems in detailed balance

K. J. McNeil, Daniel F. Walls

Published Jan 1, 1975• 68 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A quantum-mechanical model for a multiphoton laser is proposed by an obvious generalization of the usual one-photon laser model. The authors consider a class of lasers which preserve detailed balance. This condition is ensured by assuming a multiphoton loss mechanism for the laser light of the same order as the multiphoton gain from the stimulated emission process. Solutions for the stationary density operator of the light field are obtained by a straightforward generalization of the techniques of Scully and Lamb. The multiphoton laser around threshold exhibits behaviour analogous to a second-order phase transition. A non-thermal distribution of multiphoton laser light is achieved above threshold.

DOI
10.1088/0305-4470/8/1/016

Related papers

Quantum theory of multiphoton lasers. II. Systems without detailed balance

K. J. McNeil, Daniel F. Walls

For pt.I see ibid., vol.8, 104 (1974). Investigations into possible multiphoton laser systems are extended to a less restrictive class than considered in the previous paper. The loss mechanism for the light field is now taken to be a single-photon loss. These systems no longer preserve the property of detailed balance. Explicit solutions are given for the stationary photon distribution for the two-photon laser. This exhibits similar photon statistics to the usual one-photon laser, with no significant increase in relative fluctuations at threshold. The results are equally applicable to multiboson lasers involving say the simultaneous stimulated emission of a photon and a phonon.

Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General•Jan 1, 1975•28 citations

Quantum theory of a two-photon laser

Shi-Yao Zhu, Xiao-shen Li

A quantum theory of a two-photon laser in a three-level atomic system of the cascade type is presented starting from an original microscopic Hamiltonian. The master equation of the laser operation is derived by using the method of Scully and Lamb [Phys. Rev. A 159, 208 (1967)] for a single-mode laser containing a two-level medium. The photon-number distribution of the laser is studied in detail. The curve of the distribution may have a two-peak structure. One of the peaks located at the origin comes from the single-photon process and reflects the thermal property of the laser, while another comes from the two-photon process and reflects the coherent property of the laser. We cannot find an exact criterion for the threshold of the two-photon laser. The two-photon laser can approximately be considered as a coherent state for certain values of A/C, which can even be much smaller than the threshold for the nonresonant single-mode laser in a two-level system, but it is much larger than the threshold for the resonant one.

Physical Review A•Oct 1, 1987•43 citations

Quantum Theory of an Inhomogeneously Broadened Detuned Multi-photon Laser

Partha Sarathi Gupta, B. K. Mohanty

A quantum-statistical analysis of multi-photon lasers including the effect of detuning and atomic motion is presented. The equations are solved to fourth order in the atom-field coupling constant. Systems in detailed balance (with multi-photon loss mechanism) as well as systems without detailed balance (with single-photon loss mechanism) are considered separately. Treatments for the single-mode and multi-mode processes are given. Expressions for threshold conditions, peak photon number and the half width of photon distribution are obtained. The variation of mean output photon number, the effect of detuning, the coherence characteristics, etc. are studied and results are illustrated for two- and three-photon lasers as examples.

Optica Acta International Journal of Optics•Apr 1, 1981•12 citations

Quantum theory of an inhomogeneously broadened two-photon laser

N. Nayak, B. K. Mohanty

A quantum statistical analysis of a two-photon laser is presented in a generalization of the one-photon laser. A two-photon loss mechanism is assumed by taking detailed-balance considerations into account. The expressions for the photon statistical distribution exhibit the exact influence of the Doppler parameter and other relaxation parameters. In addition, the photon statistics can be studied as a function of the detuning. Threshold conditions for the laser action are noticed. The peak photon number and half-width of the photon distributions are obtained. It is found that the photon distribution can be written as a ratio of the one-photon laser-photon distribution to the Poisson distribution for photons.

Physical Review A•Mar 1, 1979•58 citations

Quantum Theory of Multi-photon Lasers

L. Sczaniecki

A quantum-mechanical model of multi-photon lasers is proposed for arbitrary degeneracy of the multi-photon processes of photon emission and absorption governing the interaction between the active medium and the radiation field. Equations of motion are derived for the mean values of the intensive, slowly varying operators essential to the description of the dynamics. Stationary solutions are found and their stability is studied proving the existence of a non-equilibrium first-order phase transition. The critical value of the inversion parameter required for laser action is shown to vary by a jump depending on the degree of degeneracy of the multi-photon processes of emission and absorption considered.

Optica Acta International Journal of Optics•Jan 1, 1982•10 citations

Quantum Theory of a Nondegenerate Two–Photon Laser

Guojian Yang, Huang Zu-Qia, Gang Xiang Hu

Laser actions and photon statistics for a nondegenerate two–photon laser in an effective three–level atomic system with arbitrary detuning are investigated both semiclassically and quantum mechanically, Due to the two–photon effect, the radiation field easily displays a sub–Foissonlan statistical distribution. The laser actions for a two–photon and a single–photon loss mechanisms are compared. It Is found that the detailed balance in the single–photon loss mechanism can still be preserved in the case that a first–order phase transtion takes place.

Communications in Theoretical Physics•Dec 1, 1990•2 citations
A quantum-mechanical model for a multiphoton laser is proposed by an obvious generalization of the usual one-photon laser model. The authors consider a class of lasers which preserve detailed balance. This condition is ensured by assuming a multiphoton loss mechanism for the laser light of the same order as the multiphoton gain from the stimulated emission process. Solutions for the stationary density operator of the light field are obtained by a straightforward generalization of the techniques of Scully and Lamb. The multiphoton laser around threshold exhibits behaviour analogous to a second-order phase transition. A non-thermal distribution of multiphoton laser light is achieved above threshold.
For pt.I see ibid., vol.8, 104 (1974). Investigations into possible multiphoton laser systems are extended to a less restrictive class than considered in the previous paper. The loss mechanism for the light field is now taken to be a single-photon loss. These systems no longer preserve the property of detailed balance. Explicit solutions are given for the stationary photon distribution for the two-photon laser. This exhibits similar photon statistics to the usual one-photon laser, with no significant increase in relative fluctuations at threshold. The results are equally applicable to multiboson lasers involving say the simultaneous stimulated emission of a photon and a phonon.
A quantum theory of a two-photon laser in a three-level atomic system of the cascade type is presented starting from an original microscopic Hamiltonian. The master equation of the laser operation is derived by using the method of Scully and Lamb [Phys. Rev. A 159, 208 (1967)] for a single-mode laser containing a two-level medium. The photon-number distribution of the laser is studied in detail. The curve of the distribution may have a two-peak structure. One of the peaks located at the origin comes from the single-photon process and reflects the thermal property of the laser, while another comes from the two-photon process and reflects the coherent property of the laser. We cannot find an exact criterion for the threshold of the two-photon laser. The two-photon laser can approximately be considered as a coherent state for certain values of A/C, which can even be much smaller than the threshold for the nonresonant single-mode laser in a two-level system, but it is much larger than the threshold for the resonant one.
A quantum-statistical analysis of multi-photon lasers including the effect of detuning and atomic motion is presented. The equations are solved to fourth order in the atom-field coupling constant. Systems in detailed balance (with multi-photon loss mechanism) as well as systems without detailed balance (with single-photon loss mechanism) are considered separately. Treatments for the single-mode and multi-mode processes are given. Expressions for threshold conditions, peak photon number and the half width of photon distribution are obtained. The variation of mean output photon number, the effect of detuning, the coherence characteristics, etc. are studied and results are illustrated for two- and three-photon lasers as examples.
A quantum statistical analysis of a two-photon laser is presented in a generalization of the one-photon laser. A two-photon loss mechanism is assumed by taking detailed-balance considerations into account. The expressions for the photon statistical distribution exhibit the exact influence of the Doppler parameter and other relaxation parameters. In addition, the photon statistics can be studied as a function of the detuning. Threshold conditions for the laser action are noticed. The peak photon number and half-width of the photon distributions are obtained. It is found that the photon distribution can be written as a ratio of the one-photon laser-photon distribution to the Poisson distribution for photons.
A quantum-mechanical model of multi-photon lasers is proposed for arbitrary degeneracy of the multi-photon processes of photon emission and absorption governing the interaction between the active medium and the radiation field. Equations of motion are derived for the mean values of the intensive, slowly varying operators essential to the description of the dynamics. Stationary solutions are found and their stability is studied proving the existence of a non-equilibrium first-order phase transition. The critical value of the inversion parameter required for laser action is shown to vary by a jump depending on the degree of degeneracy of the multi-photon processes of emission and absorption considered.
Laser actions and photon statistics for a nondegenerate two–photon laser in an effective three–level atomic system with arbitrary detuning are investigated both semiclassically and quantum mechanically, Due to the two–photon effect, the radiation field easily displays a sub–Foissonlan statistical distribution. The laser actions for a two–photon and a single–photon loss mechanisms are compared. It Is found that the detailed balance in the single–photon loss mechanism can still be preserved in the case that a first–order phase transtion takes place.