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

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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 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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