Related Experiment Videos
Photon statistics of random lasers with resonant feedback
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Materials Research Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|June 1, 2001
Summary
Photon statistics in random lasers with resonant feedback shift from Bose-Einstein to Poisson distributions with increasing pump intensity. This reveals distinct lasing mechanisms compared to nonresonant feedback systems.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Random lasers offer unique light generation properties.
- Understanding photon statistics is key to characterizing laser behavior.
- Resonant feedback significantly influences random laser dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure and analyze the photon statistics of random lasers with resonant feedback.
- To investigate the transition of photon number distribution with varying pump intensity.
- To differentiate lasing mechanisms between resonant and nonresonant feedback random lasers.
Main Methods:
- Experimental measurement of photon statistics.
- Analysis of photon number distribution in a single mode.
- Calculation of the second-order correlation coefficient.
- Comparative study with random lasers exhibiting nonresonant feedback.
Main Results:
- Photon number distribution transitions from Bose-Einstein to Poisson distribution as pump intensity increases.
- The second-order correlation coefficient decreases from 2 towards 1.
- Significant differences in lasing mechanisms were observed between resonant and nonresonant feedback systems.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the continuous evolution of photon statistics in resonant feedback random lasers.
- Findings highlight distinct physical processes governing random lasing with different feedback types.
- This work provides insights into controlling and understanding random laser emission properties.