A quantum model of lasing without inversion

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Werren, Nicholas and Gauger, Erik M and Kirton, Peter (2022) A quantum model of lasing without inversion. New Journal of Physics, 24 (9). 093027. ISSN 1367-2630 (https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/ac8d27)

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Abstract

Starting from a quantum description of multiple Λ-type three-level atoms driven with a coherent microwave field and incoherent optical pumping, we derive a microscopic model of lasing from which we move towards a consistent macroscopic picture. Our analysis applies across the range of system sizes from nanolasers to the thermodynamic limit of conventional lasing. We explore the necessary conditions to achieve lasing without inversion in certain regimes by calculating the non-equilibrium steady state solutions of the model at, and between, its microscopic and macroscopic limits. For the macroscopic picture, we use mean-field theory to present a thorough analysis of the lasing phase transition. In the microscopic case, we exploit the underlying permutation symmetry of the density matrix to calculate exact solutions for N three-level systems. This allows us to show that the steady state solutions approach the thermodynamic limit as N increases, restoring the sharp non-equilibrium phase transition in this limit. We demonstrate how the lasing phase transition and degree of population inversion can be adjusted by simply varying the phase of the coherent driving field. The high level of quantum control presented by this microscopic model and the framework outlined here have applications to further understanding and developing nanophotonic technology.

ORCID iDs

Werren, Nicholas, Gauger, Erik M and Kirton, Peter ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3915-1098;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:82384
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    30 September 2022
    Published
    19 September 2022
    Published Online
    26 August 2022
    Accepted
    Subjects:Science > Physics > Optics. Light
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:21 Sep 2022 09:52
    Last modified:12 Dec 2024 13:42
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/82384
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