Nanoscale Coherent Light Source
Raphael Holzinger, David Plankensteiner, Laurin Ostermann, Helmut Ritsch
Abstract
A laser is composed of an optical resonator and a gain medium. When stimulated emission dominates mirror losses, the emitted light becomes coherent. We propose a new class of coherent light sources based on wavelength sized regular structures of quantum emitters whose eigenmodes form high-Q resonators. Incoherent pumping of few atoms induces light emission with spatial and temporal coherence. We show that an atomic nanoring with a single gain atom at the center behaves like a thresholdless laser, featuring a narrow linewidth. Symmetric subradiant excitations provide optimal operating conditions.
Topics & Concepts
Laser linewidthPhysicsResonatorLaserCoherence (philosophical gambling strategy)Spontaneous emissionStimulated emissionWavelengthOpticsNanoscopic scaleActive laser mediumAtom (system on chip)Optical pumpingAtomic physicsOptoelectronicsCoherence timeQuantum mechanicsLaser power scalingComputer scienceEmbedded systemQuantum Information and CryptographyQuantum optics and atomic interactionsMechanical and Optical Resonators