Abstract

Several quantum effects associated with coherence are discussed. The conditions under which a gas will spontaneously radiate coherently are described. Possibilities are examined for the excitation of optical “superradiant” states of gas. Comparisons are made with microwave spectroscopy. There is a discussion of the connection between coherence and photon correlation effects.

© 1957 Optical Society of America

Thickness Control of Thin Films*

A. C. S. van Heel
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 47(6) 483-483 (1957)

Modern Trends in the Evaluation of Optical Images*

G. Toraldo di Francia
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 47(6) 507-507 (1957)

Objects to Test the Sensitivity of Phase Contrast and Interference Microscopes*†

E. Menzel
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 47(6) 563-563 (1957)

Applications of Coherence Theory in Microscopy and Interferometry*

H. H. Hopkins
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 47(6) 508-526 (1957)

Two-Beam Interference with Partially Coherent Light

B. J. Thompson and E. Wolf
J. Opt. Soc. Am. 47(10) 895-902 (1957)