Intensity Fluctuations and Statistics of Laser Radiation

Abstract

The steady-state intensity distribution for a laser operating somewhat above threshold is determined by solving a master equation. The master equation describes the interaction between a single radiation mode and $N$ two-level atoms, it contains the effects of pumping and radiation loss from the cavity, and it is applicable to both homogeneous and Doppler broadening. Forms of the master equation applicable to both three- and four-level lasers are considered. Solutions are obtained under the assumption that the distribution of atoms and radiation intensity is a bivariate Gaussian. Fluctuations in the output of giant-pulse lasers are also considered.