Laser oscillation without population inversion in a sodium atomic beam. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Continuous wave (cw) amplification and laser oscillation without population inversion have been observed for the first time in a Λ scheme within the sodium D1 line. This is also the first demonstration in which the lasing medium was an atomic beam; this is an approach which, in addition to elucidating the physics, lays a foundation for extensions into the ultraviolet. Calculations using realistic atomic structure were critical to the choice of experimental approach. Observations agree with full density-matrix calculations and clearly show there was no population inversion. © 1996 The American Physical Society.

author list (cited authors)

  • Padmabandu, G. G., Welch, G. R., Shubin, I. N., Fry, E. S., Nikonov, D. E., Lukin, M. D., & Scully, M. O

complete list of authors

  • Padmabandu, GG||Welch, GR||Shubin, IN||Fry, ES||Nikonov, DE||Lukin, MD||Scully, MO

publication date

  • January 1, 1996 11:11 AM