The steady-state intensity distribution for a laser operating somewhat above threshold is determined by solving a master equation. The master equation describes the interaction between a single radiation mode and $N$ two-level atoms, it contains the effects of pumping and radiation loss from the cavity, and it is applicable to both homogeneous and Doppler broadening. Forms of the master equation applicable to both three- and four-level lasers are considered. Solutions are obtained under the assumption that the distribution of atoms and radiation intensity is a bivariate Gaussian. Fluctuations in the output of giant-pulse lasers are also considered.The steady-state intensity distribution for a laser operating somewhat above threshold is determined by solving a master equation. The master equation describes the interaction between a single radiation mode and $N$ two-level atoms, it contains the effects of pumping and radiation loss from the cavity, and it is applicable to both homogeneous and Doppler broadening. Forms of the master equation applicable to both three- and four-level lasers are considered. Solutions are obtained under the assumption that the distribution of atoms and radiation intensity is a bivariate Gaussian. Fluctuations in the output of giant-pulse lasers are also considered.

Physical ReviewDec 2, 19667 citations

Laser phase fluctuations in a four-level atomic system in N-configuration

Naveen K. Singh, Richard D’Souza, Q. V. Lawande +1 more

The European Physical Journal DJun 1, 20130 citations

Rate-equation approach to atomic-laser light statistics

Laurent Chusseau, Jacques Arnaud, Fabrice Philippe

We consider three- and four-level atomic lasers that are either incoherently (unidirectionally) or coherently (bidirectionally) pumped, the single-mode cavity being resonant with the laser transition. The intracavity Fano factor and the photocurrent spectral density are evaluated on the basis of rate equations. According to that approach, fluctuations are caused by jumps in active and detecting atoms. The algebra is simple. Whenever a comparison is made, the expressions obtained coincide with the previous results. The conditions under which the output light exhibits sub-Poissonian statistics are considered in detail. Analytical results, based on linearization, are verified by comparison with Monte Carlo simulations. An essentially exhaustive investigation of sub-Poissonian light generation by three- and four-level lasers has been performed. Only special forms were reported earlier.We consider three- and four-level atomic lasers that are either incoherently (unidirectionally) or coherently (bidirectionally) pumped, the single-mode cavity being resonant with the laser transition. The intracavity Fano factor and the photocurrent spectral density are evaluated on the basis of rate equations. According to that approach, fluctuations are caused by jumps in active and detecting atoms. The algebra is simple. Whenever a comparison is made, the expressions obtained coincide with the previous results. The conditions under which the output light exhibits sub-Poissonian statistics are considered in detail. Analytical results, based on linearization, are verified by comparison with Monte Carlo simulations. An essentially exhaustive investigation of sub-Poissonian light generation by three- and four-level lasers has been performed. Only special forms were reported earlier.

arXiv:quant-ph/0203029Physical Review ANov 26, 20026 citations

Amplitude fluctuations in the two-level and four-level models of a laser

A. S. Kovalev

Radiophysics and Quantum ElectronicsJun 1, 19711 citation

Quantum fluctuations of a multi-mode laser oscillator

Valery M. Baev, Gerhard Gaida, H. Schröder +1 more

Optics CommunicationsAug 1, 198149 citations

Quantum Theory of Laser Radiation. II. Statistical Aspects of Laser Light

J. A. Fleck

We have solved a master equation to obtain the diagonal elements of the density matrix for laser light. The master equation represents a generalization of a master equation derived earlier for a single radiation mode interacting with $N$ stationary two-level atoms. The generalization takes into account the pumping scheme which characterizes a three-level laser. For positive temperatures and a lossless cavity, the equilibrium solution of the master equation gives the correct statistical-mechanical description of the atoms and radiation. For negative temperatures, the distribution function for the number of photons in the mode is either exponential or peaked, depending on whether the laser is operating below or above threshold. The calculated intensity fluctuations are in good agreement with semiclassical results for lasers operating slightly above threshold.We have solved a master equation to obtain the diagonal elements of the density matrix for laser light. The master equation represents a generalization of a master equation derived earlier for a single radiation mode interacting with $N$ stationary two-level atoms. The generalization takes into account the pumping scheme which characterizes a three-level laser. For positive temperatures and a lossless cavity, the equilibrium solution of the master equation gives the correct statistical-mechanical description of the atoms and radiation. For negative temperatures, the distribution function for the number of photons in the mode is either exponential or peaked, depending on whether the laser is operating below or above threshold. The calculated intensity fluctuations are in good agreement with semiclassical results for lasers operating slightly above threshold.

Physical ReviewSep 9, 196626 citations

N

two-level atoms, it contains the effects of pumping and radiation loss from the cavity, and it is applicable to both homogeneous and Doppler broadening. Forms of the master equation applicable to both three- and four-level lasers are considered. Solutions are obtained under the assumption that the distribution of atoms and radiation intensity is a bivariate Gaussian. Fluctuations in the output of giant-pulse lasers are also considered.

N

stationary two-level atoms. The generalization takes into account the pumping scheme which characterizes a three-level laser. For positive temperatures and a lossless cavity, the equilibrium solution of the master equation gives the correct statistical-mechanical description of the atoms and radiation. For negative temperatures, the distribution function for the number of photons in the mode is either exponential or peaked, depending on whether the laser is operating below or above threshold. The calculated intensity fluctuations are in good agreement with semiclassical results for lasers operating slightly above threshold.