Quantum Theory of an Optical Maser. III. Theory of Photoelectron Counting Statistics

Abstract

In this paper we determine the photoelectron counting statistics produced by the fully quantum-mechanical laser considered in the first paper of this series. The problem of obtaining the photocount distribution from the now known photon statistics is solved in a completely quantum-mechanical fashion. The time evolution of the combined photodetector-laser system is derived. The techniques developed for the solution of this problem are of general interest in the area of nonequilibrium quantum statistical dynamics.