Abstract

In previous discussions of micromasers, atomic decay rates have been assumed to be zero (γ = 0). However, atomic states do decay (for example, the Rydberg states). The true situation for micromasers is that the interaction time (τ) is much shorter than the lifetimes of the atomic states (τ₁ = γτ<<1). In current experiments, values of τ₁ range from approximately 10⁻³ to 10⁻². Are these values small enough to allow us to neglect atomic decay? What is the influence of atomic decay on the micromaser field?

© 1991 Optical Society of America