IS LASER RADIATION CLASSICAL.
Abstract
Considerable confusion and controversy exist in the literature over the nature of laser radiation. There are two oppossing points of view, one supporting a classical, the other a quantum mechanical interpretation. In this report an attempt is made to resolve this issue by solving the quantum mechanical equations of motion for an ideal laser, and by using the concept of classical motion in quantum mechanics precisely. It is shown that the laser produces a classical field while undergoing linear selfamplification. The non-linear behavior which follows the linear amplification then leads to amplitude stabilization of this classical field; the phase of the field will be uniformly distributed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0610953
Entities
People
- A. E. Glassgold
- Dennis Holliday
Organizations
- RAND Corporation