Theory of intensity and phase fluctuations of a homogeneously broadened laser

We extend our previous quantum mechanical nonlinear treatment of laser noise to the following problem: We consider a set of atoms each with three levels, which support laser action of one or several modes. The laser action can take place either between the upper or the lower two levels. The atomic line is assumed to be homogeneously broadened. The broadening can be caused by the decay into the nonlasing modes, by the pumping process, lattice vibrations and other, non specified sources. The fluctuations of the atomic variables (or operators) are taken into account in a quantum mechanically consistent way using results of previous papers byHaken andWeidlich as well asSchmid andRisken. The laser modes are coupled to the thermal resonator noise usingSenitzky's method. In the first part of the present paper, we treat quite generally multimode laser action. It is shown, that each light mode chooses a specificcollective atomic “mode” to interact with. We introduce a set of suitable collective atomic “modes”, which leads to a simplification of the equations of motion for theHeisenberg operators of the light field and the atomic operators. From the new equations we can eliminate all atomic operators. We are then left with a set of coupled nonlinear, integro-differential equations for the light field operators alone. These equations, which are completely exact and valid both for running and standing waves, represent a considerable simplification of the original problem. In the second part of this paper, these equations are specialized to single mode operation, which is studied above laser threshold. In the vicinity of the threshold the laser equation can be simplified to an operator-equation, whose classical analogue is vander-Pol's equation with a noisy driving force. With increasing inversion, the full equation must be treated, however. Using the method of our previous paper, we decompose the light amplitude into a phase-factor and a real amplitude, which is expanded around its stable value. We determine the Fourier-transform of the intensity correlation function and the total intensity of the fluctuating part of the amplitude. Somewhat above threshold this intensity drops down with the inverse of the photon output power,P, while the inherent relaxation frequency increases withP. The noise intensity stems in this region from the off-diagonal elements of the noise operators and not from the diagonal elements, which are responsible for the shot noise. This result is insofar remarkable, as a rate equation treatment would include only the latter ones. Under certain conditions the intensity fluctuations can show resonances with increasing output power,P. At high inversion the vacuum fluctuations of the light field are dominant, while the other noise sources give rise to contributions which vanish with the inverse of the output power. As a by-product our treatment yields the following formula for the linewidth (half width at half power) which is caused by phase fluctuations:

$$\Delta \nu = \frac{{\gamma _{3 2}^2 \kappa ^2 }}{{(\kappa + \gamma _{3 2} )^2 }}\frac{{\hbar \omega }}{P}\left( {\frac{1}{2}\frac{{(N_3 + N_2 )}}{{N_3 - N_2 }} + n_{Th} + \frac{1}{2}} \right)$$     

Amplification of noise in the quantum theory of parametric processes

A quantum mechanical treatment is given of the acousto-optical parametric amplification processes in dielectric crystals when the signal acoustical and idler light waves are amplified in the presence of intensive optical pumping. The approximate Heisenberg equations of motion are found and solved for the creation and annihilation operators of signal and idler modes with due regard for the interaction of these modes with other light and vibratory modes of the crystal (“the thermostat”). It is shown that the thermostat influence results in noise and attenuation effects. These persistent noises are also amplified. If the pumping is not far above the threshold the persistent noises are more important than the initial ones.     

Quantum theory of noise in gas and solid state lasers with an inhomogeneously broadened line. I

We present a quantum mechanical nonlinear treatment of the phase and amplitude flucutations of gas lasers, i.e. lasers with moving atoms, and of solid state lasers with an inhomogeneously broadened line. The atoms may possess an arbitrary number of levels. As in our preceding papers the noise due to the pump, incoherent decay, lattice vibrations or atomic collisions, as well as due to the thermal and zero point fluctuations of the cavity is completely taken into account. The linewidth (due to phase diffusion), and the intensity fluctuations (due to amplitude noise) are essentially expressed by the threshold inversion, the unsaturated inversion and the saturated population numbers of the two atomic levels, which support the laser modes. Our results apply to the whole threshold region and above up to essentially the same photon number, to which the previous semiclassical theories of inhomogeneously broadened lasers were applicable. For the example of a two-level system we also demonstrate the application of a new technique which allows us to eliminate rigorously the atomic variables (operators), yielding a set of nonlinear coupled equations for the lightfield operators alone. If the elimination procedure is carried out only partially and additional approximations are made, we find essentially the rate equations ofMcCumber, in a form derived byLax. When we neglect noise, the nonlinear equation may be solved exactly in the case of single mode operation. By a suitable expansion of the exact multimode equations we find a convenient set of equations, which reduce in the noiseless case to those derived and used previously byHaken andSauermann as well asLamb.     

The quantum-fluctuations of the optical parametric oscillator. II

We set up an effective Hamiltonian for an optical parametric oscillator. It contains the Bose operators of the three modes, signal, idler, and pump and their coupling to heat baths. This Hamiltonian is shown to be equivalent to a set of equations of motion, derived in a previous paper (I) from a microscopically exact Hamiltonian, provided that the heat baths are chosen in an adequate way. The comparison with the laser Hamiltonian makes clear the close analogy of the underlying elementary processes of spontaneous emission from atoms and spontaneous parametric emission from light modes in nonlinear media. The Hamiltonian is used to derive a master equation for the statistical operator of the three-mode system. In the coherent state representation this master equation transforms into an equivalentc-number Fokker-Planck equation without any approximation. The solution is obtained below threshold by linearization and above threshold by quasilinearization of the nonlinear dissipation coefficients. The results agree with those which were obtained by quantum mechanical Langevin methods in a previous paper (I).     

Stimulated emission by two-level atoms pumped to the upper level

We analyze the quantum properties of the light generated by a two-level laser in which the two-level atoms available in a closed cavity are pumped to the upper level by means of electron bombardment. We carry out our analysis by putting the noise operators associated with a vacuum reservoir in normal order. The normal ordering of the noise operators leads to normally-ordered quadrature and photon-number variance. It so turns out that the light generated by the two-level laser operating well above threshold is coherent and the light generated by the same laser operating at threshold is chaotic.     

Classical theory of laser linewidth

The classical theory of light fluctuations rests on the intuitive concept that jumps between atomic states occur at independent times when the optical field has a prescribed value. The statistical properties of phase-noise sources are obtained in the present paper by applying this principle to detuned atoms. Formulae for amplitude and phase fluctuations coincide with quantum-theory results even when non-classical states of light are generated. Theories employing semiclassical or quantum concepts are reviewed. We consider particularly the linewidth of laser oscillators operating below and above threshold when the atomic polarization cannot be adiabatically eliminated. Quantum-theory results by Lax (1966) are recovered from classical theory in a straightforward manner. More general results are given for dispersive loads, applicable to external-cavity lasers and relevant to gain guidance. It is emphasized that the K-factor as calculated by Petermann is applicable only below threshold. When more than one emitting element is present, population rate equations need to be considered and the linewidth decreases when the pump fluctuations are suppressed. The role of gain compression relating to semiconductor lasers is discussed. It is shown that at low and moderate powers gain compression reduces the effective phase-amplitude coupling factor, . But at high power a number of mechanisms contribute to linewidth rebroadening. One of them is the statistical (quasi-thermal equilibrium) fluctuation of the refractive index. General concepts applicable to broadband light are outlined in an appendix.     

Generation of pulsed squeezed light in a mode-locked optical parametric oscillator

The generation of pulsed squeezed light using an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is discussed. This mode-locked optical parametric oscillator consists of a nonlinear crystal in a cavity which is resonant for both signal and idler waves and which is synchronously pumped by the second-harmonic of an acousto-optically mode-locked cw Nd: YAG laser. The fundamental wavelength of the pump laser provides local oscillator pulses for balanced homodyne detection of squeezed vacuum pulses emitted by the oscillator when operated below oscillation threshold. Photocurrent noise reduction to 30% below the classical shot-noise limit is observed, corresponding to squeezing of the field to a level approximately a factor of two below the mean square vacuum noise.     

音频段1.34μm压缩态光场的实验制备

音频段压缩态光场是进行连续变量量子精密测量重要的量子资源.本文利用自制的低噪声连续单频671 nm/1.34μm双波长激光器作为抽运源,抽运基于周期极化磷酸氧钛钾晶体的简并光学参量振荡器,进行了光通信波段1.34μm连续变量音频段真空压缩态光场的实验制备.当简并光学参量振荡器运转于阈值以下参量反放大状态时,抽运光场功率为95 mW,本地振荡光功率为60μW时,在分析频率8—100 k Hz范围内研制出1.34μm真空压缩态光场.在分析频率36 k Hz处,压缩态光场的最大压缩度达5.0 d B;在音频频率8k Hz处,压缩态光场的压缩度达3.0 d B.音频段1.34μm压缩态光场可用于实现基于光纤的量子精密测量.     

Quantum state of an injected TROPO above threshold: purity,Glauber function and photon number distribution

In this paper, we investigate several properties of the full signal-idler-pump mode quantum state generated by a triply resonant non-degenerate Optical Parametric Oscillator operating above threshold, with an injected wave on the signal and idler modes in order to lock the phase diffusion process. We determine and discuss the spectral purity of this state, which turns out not to be always equal to 1 even though the three interacting modes have been taken into account at the quantum level. We have seen that the purity is essentially dependent on the weak intensity of the injected light and on an asymmetry of the synchronization. We then derive the expression of its total three-mode Glauber P-function, and calculate the joint signal-idler photon number probability distribution and investigate their dependence on the injection.     

Conditional preparation of a quantum state in the continuous variable regime: generation of a sub-Poissonian state from twin beams

We report the first experimental demonstration of conditional preparation of a nonclassical state of light in the continuous variable regime. Starting from a nondegenerate optical parametric oscillator which generates above threshold quantum intensity correlated signal and idler "twin beams," we keep the recorded values of the signal intensity only when the idler intensity falls inside a band narrower than its standard deviation. By this very simple technique, we generate a sub-Poissonian state 4.4 dB (64%) below shot noise from twin beams exhibiting 7.5 dB (82%) of noise reduction in the intensity difference.     

A Method to Compute the Schrieffer–Wolff Generator for Analysis of Quantum Memory

Quantum illumination uses entangled light that consists of signal and idler modes to achieve higher detection rate of a low-reflective object in noisy environments. The best performance of quantum illumination can be achieved by measuring the returned signal mode together with the idler mode. Thus, it is necessary to prepare a quantum memory that can keep the idler mode ideal. To send a signal towards a long-distance target, entangled light in the microwave regime is used. There was a recent demonstration of a microwave quantum memory using microwave cavities coupled with a transmon qubit. We propose an ordering of bosonic operators to efficiently compute the Schrieffer–Wolff transformation generator to analyze the quantum memory. Our proposed method is applicable to a wide class of systems described by bosonic operators whose interaction part represents a definite number of transfer in quanta.     

Quantum images in non degenerate optical parametric oscillators

Quantum images, that is inhomogeneous field distributions purely generated by quantum fluctuations, persist when passing from the degenerate to the non-degenerate case of optical parametric oscillators (OPO). Below the threshold for parametric oscillation where the near-field distributions are homogeneous both in intensity and phase, appropriate spatial correlation functions anticipate the transverse spatial pattern that appears above threshold. In particular, the angular dependence of the far field spatial correlation function is able to reveal the travelling-wave nature of the phase pattern above threshold typical of nondegenerate OPOs. Cross-correlation functions between signal and idler intensities show clear evidence of the non-classical nature of the output light. Received 8 October 1999     

Decoherence effects in Bose–Einstein condensate interferometry I. General theory

The present paper outlines a basic theoretical treatment of decoherence and dephasing effects in interferometry based on single component Bose–Einstein condensates in double potential wells, where two condensate modes may be involved. Results for both two mode condensates and the simpler single mode condensate case are presented. The approach involves a hybrid phase space distribution functional method where the condensate modes are described via a truncated Wigner representation, whilst the basically unoccupied non-condensate modes are described via a positive P representation. The Hamiltonian for the system is described in terms of quantum field operators for the condensate and non-condensate modes. The functional Fokker–Planck equation for the double phase space distribution functional is derived. Equivalent Ito stochastic equations for the condensate and non-condensate fields that replace the field operators are obtained, and stochastic averages of products of these fields give the quantum correlation functions that can be used to interpret interferometry experiments. The stochastic field equations are the sum of a deterministic term obtained from the drift vector in the functional Fokker–Planck equation, and a noise field whose stochastic properties are determined from the diffusion matrix in the functional Fokker–Planck equation. The stochastic properties of the noise field terms are similar to those for Gaussian–Markov processes in that the stochastic averages of odd numbers of noise fields are zero and those for even numbers of noise field terms are the sums of products of stochastic averages associated with pairs of noise fields. However each pair is represented by an element of the diffusion matrix rather than products of the noise fields themselves, as in the case of Gaussian–Markov processes. The treatment starts from a generalised mean field theory for two condensate modes, where generalised coupled Gross–Pitaevskii equations are obtained for the modes and matrix mechanics equations are derived for the amplitudes describing possible fragmentations of the condensate between the two modes. These self-consistent sets of equations are derived via the Dirac–Frenkel variational principle. Numerical studies for interferometry experiments would involve using the solutions from the generalised mean field theory in calculations for the stochastic fields from the Ito stochastic field equations.     

平面自旋压缩态的产生与原子干涉的机理

在玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体中实现自旋压缩和量子纠缠, 对于提高原子干涉测量相位灵敏度和原子钟精度有着非常重要的意义. 基于一种新的平面自旋分量的不确定性关系, 介绍了如何利用两分量玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚系统中原子间相互作用提供的非线性效应和原子内部能级间线性耦合, 实现量子平面自旋压缩(挤压)和模式纠缠. 描述了一项关于平面压缩态的理论工作, 该工作利用哈密顿量的精确对角化求解系统基态, 优化非线性作用和线性耦合强度比值, 使得包含平均自旋方向在内的两个正交自旋分量的不确定度同时压缩, 因此在平面上所有相位角度的涨落都受到压制, 而在与该平面垂直的第三个自旋分量方向反压缩. 利用传统自旋压缩判定纠缠, 只能判断多个不可分辨的原子处于纠缠态, 而平面自旋压缩可以检测两个可区分模式(比如, 原子内态)间的纠缠, 从而在不同模式间进行量子信息处理. 同时, 为实现超越标准量子极限的原子干涉相位精密测量, 传统方式是利用单个自旋分量压缩, 但需要对待测相位角度有很好的估计, 或者可以进行多次测量以逐渐逼近可获得的最大压缩极限, 这就要求量子态可以被精确的重复制备. 而利用平面自旋压缩, 对任意未知相位角度只需要测量两个垂直自旋分量就可以实现高的相位测量灵敏度.     

Measurements of the laser linewidth due to quantum phase and quantum amplitude noise above and below threshold. I

The natural linewidths and line shapes due to quantum phase and quantum amplitude noise have been investigated above, within and below the threshold region of laser operation using a Fourier spectroscopic technique. Outside the threshold region the linewidths of the laser spectrum were found to be inversely proportional to the laser power, and measurements confirm the “factor of two” difference in the linewidth equation. Within the threshold region the results are in agreement with calculations of Hempstead, Lax and Risken. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer with optical path differences up to 1500 meters was used for the measurements. The method of investigation combines a high spectral resolution with a good signal-to-noise ratio. The method is suited to linewidth measurements of a laser both above and below threshold and allows the technical and natural linewidths to be clearly distinguished.     

Zur Quantentheorie der stimulierten RAMAN-Streuung in Molekülkristallen. II. Spezielle Fälle eines stationären RAMAN-Oszillators

Two kinds of stationary RAMAN oscillators are investigated theoretically for molecular crystals. The calculations are done firstly for the generation of one first order anti-STOKES mode and secondly for the generation of one second order STOKES mode. By using a quantum theoretical model described in an earlier paper for treatment of molecular crystals RAMAN scattering is assumed to be polariton scattering. Within this framework coupled nonlinear equations for the polariton operators of the excited modes are derived, stationary occupation numbers for the different modes and threshold conditions are calculated. The influence of phase fluctuations of the pump wave on the line widths of the RAMAN modes are investigated.     

Fluctuations in superfluorescent beating

The statistical properties of the onset of superfluorescent beating are investigated by means of quasi-probability distribution functions and quantum Langevin equations of motion for collective atomic operators. The time variation of the distribution of the phase of the beats is derived in a simple model, and the role played on the phase statistics by the stochastic forces associated to the e.m. vacuum fluctuations is discussed.     

受激拉曼增益介质中的量子噪声特性研究

研究了三能级原子系综与相干控制场以及量子探测场的相互作用下的受激拉曼系统.运用量子理论推导出了该受激拉曼系统中由于量子场真空涨落引起的量子噪声以及受激散射的量子化光场噪声谱,并且数值计算了注入拥有非经典涨落的量子探测场,真空涨落所引起的量子噪声谱. 关键词： 受激拉曼增益 量子噪声 噪声谱     

Quantum field theoretical description of unstable behavior of a Bose-Einstein condensate with a highly quantized vortex in a harmonic potential

The Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations are used for a number of theoretical works to describe quantum and thermal fluctuations of trapped Bose-Einstein condensates. We consider the case in which the condensate has a highly quantized vortex. It is known that these equations have complex eigenvalues in this case. We give the complete set including a pair of complex modes whose eigenvalues are complex conjugates to each other. The expansion of the quantum fields which represent neutral atoms in terms of the complete set brings the operators associated with the complex modes, which are simply neither bosonic nor fermionic ones. The eigenstate of the Hamiltonian is given. Introducing the notion of the physical states, we discuss the instability of the condensates in the context of Kubo’s linear response theory.