Observation of multiple thresholds in the many-atom cavity QED microlaser

C. Fang-Yen, C. C. Yu, S. Ha, W. Choi, K. An, R. R. Dasari, M. S. Feld

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    19 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We report the observation of multiple laser thresholds in the many-atom cavity QED microlaser. Traveling-wave coupling and a supersonic atom beam are used to create a well-defined atom-cavity interaction. Multiple thresholds are observed as jumps in photon number due to oscillatory gain. Although the number of intracavity atoms is large, up to N∼ 103, the dynamics of the microlaser agree with a single-atom theory. This agreement is supported by quantum trajectory simulations of a many-atom microlaser and a semiclassical microlaser theory. We discuss the relation of the microlaser with the micromaser and conventional lasers.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number041802
    JournalPhysical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
    Volume73
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2006

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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