Detection of weak signals via the decay of an unstable state: Initiation of an injection-seeded laser
- 1 April 1990
- journal article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review A
- Vol. 41 (7) , 4131-4134
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.41.4131
Abstract
We have demonstrated the detection of weak optical signals via the decay of an unstable state. A Q-switched laser is an example of an unstable state, the decay of which has to be triggered either by quantum fluctuations or by an injected external signal. Measurement of the initiation time of the laser intensity allows us to determine the strength of the external signal with a dynamic range of 7 orders of magnitude. It is possible to detect signal levels that correspond to less than one photon in a selected cavity mode.Keywords
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