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Soviet Physics Uspekhi

Polarization waves and super-radiance in active media

Vladimir V. Zheleznyakov, Vit V Kocharovskiĭ, Vlad V Kocharovskiĭ

Published Oct 31, 1989• 96 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The macroscopic electrodynamics of time-dependent coherent processes in active media is reviewed. Dicke super-radiance in the two-level model and cyclotron super-radiance in a model consisting of an electron beam in a magnetic field are investigated. Similar phenomena in other media are discussed. Particular attention is devoted to polarization waves, i.e., a type of normal wave that coexists with electromagnetic waves and in many ways determines the character of coherent effects. Super-radiance is considered as a dissipative instability of negative-energy polarization waves, which occurs in an active sample as a result of losses by emission of positive-energy electromagnetic waves into the ambient space. The method of phenomenological quantization is developed for unstable modes in active samples, and directly describes the quantum-mechanical properties of collective excitations. The procedure is used to analyze macroscopic quantum-mechanical fluctuations of super-radiance.

DOI
10.1070/pu1989v032n10abeh002764

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The macroscopic electrodynamics of time-dependent coherent processes in active media is reviewed. Dicke super-radiance in the two-level model and cyclotron super-radiance in a model consisting of an electron beam in a magnetic field are investigated. Similar phenomena in other media are discussed. Particular attention is devoted to polarization waves, i.e., a type of normal wave that coexists with electromagnetic waves and in many ways determines the character of coherent effects. Super-radiance is considered as a dissipative instability of negative-energy polarization waves, which occurs in an active sample as a result of losses by emission of positive-energy electromagnetic waves into the ambient space. The method of phenomenological quantization is developed for unstable modes in active samples, and directly describes the quantum-mechanical properties of collective excitations. The procedure is used to analyze macroscopic quantum-mechanical fluctuations of super-radiance.
This chapter focuses on the relation between quantum and semiclassical approaches in super-radiance theory. The semiclassical solution can be regarded only as an ingredient of a convenient scheme for calculating quantum mechanical expectation values. Indeed, at the earliest stages, when the electric field and the polarization have not yet risen above the level of quantum fluctuations, the radiative process is not a classical one and would be greatly disturbed by measurements. The chapter presents some statistical characteristics of the linear stage of super-radiance. Super-radiance may be treated as an amplification of the field generated by quantum fluctuations of the polarization. Another aspect of super-radiance evolution is a build up of coherence both of the radiation field and the atomic polarization. Initially tiny, it grows to a macroscopic size and exhibits the statistics of super-radiance pulses. The parameters characterizing the shape of the pulse vary strongly enough within the ensemble for their root mean square deviations.
Interest in the processes of generation of oscillations in super radiance regimes began with the well-known work by Dicke RN [1].Super radiance is usually realized in open systems when high-frequency energy is removed from the system.To a certain extent, this energy release can be equivalent to dissipative processes of a distributed type.Previously, dissipative regimes of excitation or generation of an electromagnetic wave in open waveguide resonator systems such as a traveling wave lamp traditionally corresponded to the case of interaction of a waveguide electromagnetic field with radiating particles, most often with moving beam electrons (see example [2]) or oscillators.Since the system is open, the field leaves the waveguide, which for short systems is equivalent to losses or dissipative processes of a distributed type.The field damping factor in such a waveguide or resonator without emitters or generators for such generation or amplification modes can be greater than the development increment of the generation process in the presence only these active elements without dissipation or losses [3][4][5].In particular, we can consider the case of the interaction of a system of fixed oscillators with the field of an open resonator.In this case, the oscillators did not interact directly with each other, but only through the resonator field common to the system.
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the main features of super-radiance using some simplified models. It presents a review of experimental work on super-radiance. The book also presents a generalization of the Wigner–Weisskopf approach to the N -atom system using a diagram method of non-stationary perturbation theory. It discusses several correlation functions for the field and the polarization, which characterize the coherence properties of super-radiation. The book uses the semiclassical approach to investigate the influence of de-phasing processes on radiation efficiency, or in other words, the influence of homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening of the spectral line on the dynamics and spectrum of super-radiance. It considers the boundary value problem for the transmission and reflection of short pulses, taking into account the local field correction. Two effects are of special interest: the population-dependent frequency shift and the possibility of mirror-less bistability of ultra-short electromagnetic pulses.
This chapter introduces a three-level atomic model and discusses two other coherent atomic phenomena; namely, coherent Raman scattering and lasing without inversion. Lasing without inversion may take place in three-level resonant atomic systems and, like super-radiance, results from atomic coherence. Super-radiation is initiated by spontaneous fluctuations of the polarization in the medium. The semiclassical method is a powerful tool that is useful for the treatment of propagation effects in super-radiance as well as in such coherent emission processes as self-induced transparency, photon echo and others. The use of the Maxwell—Bloch equations allows one to consider these phenomena in elongated systems. Fortunately, the semiclassical approach is readily applicable to low-density systems that are to gases. However, one has to exercise greater care when applying it to coherent emission in solids. In high-density systems there is a strong mixing of the field and atomic states in the vicinity of resonance.
Abstract The electrodynamics of active continuous media is applied to theoretically examine collective spontaneous emission regimes of dipole oscillator ensembles. Recent experiments in which the superfluorescence phenomenon has been observed are reviewed. The focus is on propagation and interaction effects experienced by the inhomogeneous waves of active center polarization and electromagnetic fields. The superradiant laser dynamics is examined and prospects for the realization of superradiant lasers using low- Q cavities are discussed.
Abstract The electrodynamics of active continuous media is applied to theoretically examine collective spontaneous emission regimes of dipole oscillator ensembles. Recent experiments in which the superfluorescence phenomenon has been observed are reviewed. The focus is on propagation and interaction effects experienced by the inhomogeneous waves of active center polarization and electromagnetic fields. The superradiant laser dynamics is examined and prospects for the realization of superradiant lasers using low-Q cavities are discussed.