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

Physica A Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Theory of the microscopic maser phase transitions

Bo-Sture Skagerstam, Per Kristian Rekdal

Published Dec 1, 2002• 3 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1016/s0378-4371(02)01006-3

Related papers

Multistability and Chaos in a Two-Photon Microscopic Maser

L. Davidovich, J. M. Raimond, M. Brune +1 more

NATO ASI series. Series B : Physics•Jan 1, 1988•0 citations

The microscopic maser

P. Filipowicz, Juha Javanainen, Pierre Meystre

Optics Communications•Jul 1, 1986•96 citations

Quantum Theory of an Optical Maser

Marlan O. Scully, Willis E. Lamb

Physical Review Letters•May 9, 1966•152 citations

Theory of a microscopic maser

P. Filipowicz, Juha Javanainen, Pierre Meystre

We present the theory of a truly microscopic maser consisting of a single-mode high-Q resonator in which a monoenergetic beam of excited two-level atoms is injected at such a low flux that at most one atom at a time is present inside the cavity. Both a microscopic theory and a heuristic Fokker-Planck approach are presented. We show that the micromaser exhibits a number of novel features that are averaged out in usual masers and lasers. First, the field is in general sub-Poissonian, which reflects the quantization of both the field and its sources. Second, the onset of maser oscillations may be followed by a succession of abrupt transitions in the state of the field. Finally, as the atomic flux through the resonator is increased, the maser threshold acquires characteristics of a continuous phase transition, whereas the subsequent changes in the field distribution become analogous to first-order phase transitions.

Physical Review A•Oct 1, 1986•545 citations

The theory of the two-level solid-state maser

Ya I Khanin

Radiophysics and Quantum Electronics•Jan 1, 1968•0 citations

Quantum theory of a two-photon micromaser

L. Davidovich, J. M. Raimond, M. Brune +1 more

We present the quantum theory of a microscopic maser operating on a degenerate two-photon transition between levels of the same parity. We derive both a master equation and a Fokker-Planck equation for this system, and show that quantum effects may have a substantial influence on the behavior of the maser. They modify the oscillation threshold and make external triggering of this maser unnecessary, whereas, according to semiclassical theory, such a triggering is required to start up the maser oscillation. We derive the phase-diffusion properties of the field and show that the diffusion coefficient is complex in this case, its imaginary part being associated with a frequency shift of the field inside the cavity. We show that, in steady state, the photon-number statistics is sub-Poissonian for a wide range of pumping rates.

Physical Review A•Oct 1, 1987•203 citations
We present the theory of a truly microscopic maser consisting of a single-mode high-Q resonator in which a monoenergetic beam of excited two-level atoms is injected at such a low flux that at most one atom at a time is present inside the cavity. Both a microscopic theory and a heuristic Fokker-Planck approach are presented. We show that the micromaser exhibits a number of novel features that are averaged out in usual masers and lasers. First, the field is in general sub-Poissonian, which reflects the quantization of both the field and its sources. Second, the onset of maser oscillations may be followed by a succession of abrupt transitions in the state of the field. Finally, as the atomic flux through the resonator is increased, the maser threshold acquires characteristics of a continuous phase transition, whereas the subsequent changes in the field distribution become analogous to first-order phase transitions.
We present the quantum theory of a microscopic maser operating on a degenerate two-photon transition between levels of the same parity. We derive both a master equation and a Fokker-Planck equation for this system, and show that quantum effects may have a substantial influence on the behavior of the maser. They modify the oscillation threshold and make external triggering of this maser unnecessary, whereas, according to semiclassical theory, such a triggering is required to start up the maser oscillation. We derive the phase-diffusion properties of the field and show that the diffusion coefficient is complex in this case, its imaginary part being associated with a frequency shift of the field inside the cavity. We show that, in steady state, the photon-number statistics is sub-Poissonian for a wide range of pumping rates.