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

Light amplification and squeezing in coherently pumped atomic systems

Yifu Zhu, Min Xiao

Published May 8, 1994• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Light amplification without population inversion may be induced by optical coherence among the coupled slates driven by laser fields or by the difference between the absorption and emission paths manifested by quantum interference. The optical coherence and quantum interference may lead to interesting statistical properties, such as narrower intrinsic linewidths and amplitude squeezing in inversionless lasers with coherently pumped atomic systems as active media.

Related papers

Amplitude squeezing and transition from lasing with inversion to lasing without inversion in a multilevel laser

Min Xiao Yifu Zhu

Considerable attention has been directed recently to the study of lasing without the need of population inversion. The optical coherence and quantum interference associated with the light amplification may lead to interesting statistical properties in inversionless lasers. Here we analyze a laser model that consists of an ensemble of closed multi-level (three or four levels) atoms driven by a single coherent field. Unlike conventional lasers where population inversion is maintained and kept at the threshold value for arbitrary laser output, the multi-level laser analyzed here can start lasing from population inversion and evolves from population inversion into non-inversion with the increasing atomic pumping. In other words, the system makes transition from light amplification by population inversion into light amplification by coherence. On the other hand, the system can be also made to start lasing without population inversion in any state basis. In both cases, initial inversion and non-inversion, which are controlled by the ratio of spontaneous decay rates, the laser well above threshold is always maintained by lasing without inversion (light amplification by coherence), and the laser intensity fluctuations may drop below the shot noise limit. Two factors contribute to the noise reduction: first, the disappearance of the population inversion leads to the depleted atomic population in the upper lasing state, which reduces the spontaneous emission noises; second, the fast coherent cycling of electrons between excited states leads to the highly regulated absorption and emission processes. We found that the combination of these two mechanisms can lead to the noise reduction in the laser output more than 50% below the shot-noise limit.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of America•Jan 1, 1993•0 citations

Inversionless lasing and photon statistics in a V system

A.I. Ruberia, Yifu Zhu, Min Xiao

Summary form only given. Laser-induced atomic coherence has been a subject of much current interest. Here we present an analysis of inversionless gain and lasing in a three-level V-type atomic system and point out the subtle differences among different light amplification mechanisms. Explicitly, we show that the V system exhibits lasing without population inversion in any state basis only if the frequency detuning of the strong coupling laser is small.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Jun 7, 1996•0 citations

Control of the optical properties of a medium by atomic coherence and quantum interference effects

M. A. G. Martinez

The control of the optical properties of a medium by atomic coherence and quantum interference effects is an important area of research, not only for its fundamental aspects in the understanding of radiation and matter interaction, but also for its potential applications in the design of optical devices. Atomic coherence can emerge in a medium through the coupling of a strong coherent field to an atomic transition. This coupling affects the optical properties of the medium in a very interesting ways. For example, it may yield light amplification without population inversion. Also, it can modify the traditional dispersion of an optical medium in such a way that maximum variations of the refractive index occur around a spectral region of vanishing absorption. In the first part of this work we investigate some fundamental aspects of this coherent dynamics. We investigate how this non-inversion gain is affected by the presence of atomic motion. The coherent interaction between atom and radiation can lead to the interference between optical paths of decay. We report on an atomic setting where the interference structures depend upon the phase of the coherent field, an new effect which is absent in other resonance fluorescent phenomena. As a potential application, we investigate a novel approach for the modulation of optical signal. This approach consists of injecting atomic coherence in the medium in order to tailor its optical properties so it is a more suitable medium for modulation.

•Jan 1, 1997•0 citations

Theory of lasing without population inversion

Heide Doss, Lorenzo M. Narducci

This thesis is concerned with the amplification of coherent radiation from an active medium under conditions which require no population inversion between the energy levels. Gain without population inversion may be obtained by creating a sufficiently strong correlation between pairs of atomic states, usually with the help of external sources of resonant electromagnetic radiation. Our main objective is to investigate two possible selections for the active medium: a three level atom in a lambda configuration and a Raman-driven four level model. For both we identify the conditions that lead to inversionless laser action, we calculate the small signal gain and investigate the physical mechanisms which are responsible for the emergence of gain. While the ultimate cause of the gain is quantum interference, we propose attractive alternative pictures based on the dressed states of the coupled atom-driving field systems. We address the important practical issue of the effect of atomic motion and related Doppler broadening on the inversionless gain profile and we also analyze the transient response of each laser model with the help of the appropriate Maxwell-Bloch equations. Finally we develop a fully quantum mechanical description of the lambda model and find that the radiated field can display unique quantum features which manifest themselves with sub-Poissonian photon fluctuations.

•Jan 1, 1992•1 citation

Amplitude squeezing and a transition from lasing with inversion to lasing without inversion in a four-level laser

Yifu Zhu, Min Xiao

The steady-state lasing and the photon statistics have been analyzed for a closed four-level-laser system pumped only by a single coherent field. The system exhibits a transition from light amplification by population inversion to light amplification by coherence. Under suitable operating conditions, the laser-intensity fluctuations may be reduced more than 50% below the shot-noise limit.

Physical Review A•Nov 1, 1993•17 citations

Manifestation of Quantum Interference in Lasing Without Inversion

Hwang Lee, Marian O. Scully

Abstract In terms of quantum interference we demonstrate the physical mechanisms which lead to light amplification without population inversion. The similarities and differences between the two model schemes, namely, A and V-type, are emphasized. A coherent radiation field, on one hand, which drives one of the lasing levels, yields the quantum mechanical two paths via Autler-Townes splittings. On the other hand, the spontaneous emission in this driving transition plays a key role in the asymmetries between the absorption and the stimulated emission in the lasing transition.

Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A•Jan 1, 1999•2 citations
Light amplification without population inversion may be induced by optical coherence among the coupled slates driven by laser fields or by the difference between the absorption and emission paths manifested by quantum interference. The optical coherence and quantum interference may lead to interesting statistical properties, such as narrower intrinsic linewidths and amplitude squeezing in inversionless lasers with coherently pumped atomic systems as active media.
Considerable attention has been directed recently to the study of lasing without the need of population inversion. The optical coherence and quantum interference associated with the light amplification may lead to interesting statistical properties in inversionless lasers. Here we analyze a laser model that consists of an ensemble of closed multi-level (three or four levels) atoms driven by a single coherent field. Unlike conventional lasers where population inversion is maintained and kept at the threshold value for arbitrary laser output, the multi-level laser analyzed here can start lasing from population inversion and evolves from population inversion into non-inversion with the increasing atomic pumping. In other words, the system makes transition from light amplification by population inversion into light amplification by coherence. On the other hand, the system can be also made to start lasing without population inversion in any state basis. In both cases, initial inversion and non-inversion, which are controlled by the ratio of spontaneous decay rates, the laser well above threshold is always maintained by lasing without inversion (light amplification by coherence), and the laser intensity fluctuations may drop below the shot noise limit. Two factors contribute to the noise reduction: first, the disappearance of the population inversion leads to the depleted atomic population in the upper lasing state, which reduces the spontaneous emission noises; second, the fast coherent cycling of electrons between excited states leads to the highly regulated absorption and emission processes. We found that the combination of these two mechanisms can lead to the noise reduction in the laser output more than 50% below the shot-noise limit.
The control of the optical properties of a medium by atomic coherence and quantum interference effects is an important area of research, not only for its fundamental aspects in the understanding of radiation and matter interaction, but also for its potential applications in the design of optical devices. Atomic coherence can emerge in a medium through the coupling of a strong coherent field to an atomic transition. This coupling affects the optical properties of the medium in a very interesting ways. For example, it may yield light amplification without population inversion. Also, it can modify the traditional dispersion of an optical medium in such a way that maximum variations of the refractive index occur around a spectral region of vanishing absorption. In the first part of this work we investigate some fundamental aspects of this coherent dynamics. We investigate how this non-inversion gain is affected by the presence of atomic motion. The coherent interaction between atom and radiation can lead to the interference between optical paths of decay. We report on an atomic setting where the interference structures depend upon the phase of the coherent field, an new effect which is absent in other resonance fluorescent phenomena. As a potential application, we investigate a novel approach for the modulation of optical signal. This approach consists of injecting atomic coherence in the medium in order to tailor its optical properties so it is a more suitable medium for modulation.
This thesis is concerned with the amplification of coherent radiation from an active medium under conditions which require no population inversion between the energy levels. Gain without population inversion may be obtained by creating a sufficiently strong correlation between pairs of atomic states, usually with the help of external sources of resonant electromagnetic radiation. Our main objective is to investigate two possible selections for the active medium: a three level atom in a lambda configuration and a Raman-driven four level model. For both we identify the conditions that lead to inversionless laser action, we calculate the small signal gain and investigate the physical mechanisms which are responsible for the emergence of gain. While the ultimate cause of the gain is quantum interference, we propose attractive alternative pictures based on the dressed states of the coupled atom-driving field systems. We address the important practical issue of the effect of atomic motion and related Doppler broadening on the inversionless gain profile and we also analyze the transient response of each laser model with the help of the appropriate Maxwell-Bloch equations. Finally we develop a fully quantum mechanical description of the lambda model and find that the radiated field can display unique quantum features which manifest themselves with sub-Poissonian photon fluctuations.
Abstract In terms of quantum interference we demonstrate the physical mechanisms which lead to light amplification without population inversion. The similarities and differences between the two model schemes, namely, A and V-type, are emphasized. A coherent radiation field, on one hand, which drives one of the lasing levels, yields the quantum mechanical two paths via Autler-Townes splittings. On the other hand, the spontaneous emission in this driving transition plays a key role in the asymmetries between the absorption and the stimulated emission in the lasing transition.