Analogy between the Laser and Second-Order Phase Transitions: Measurement of "Coexistence Curve" and "Susceptibility" for a Single-Mode Laser near Threshold

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Abstract
We report the first experimental determination of the laser "coexistence curve" and "susceptibility" below threshold. Both quantities are derived from an accurate measurement of the average output intensity as a function of the normalized net gain. Our data confirm the predictions of laser theory and give a quantitative support to the recently proposed analogy between the laser near threshold and second-order phase transitions.