Abstract

That superfluorescence remains a fundamental cooperative phenomenon in quantum optics is attested to by the wealth of research publications and review articles on the subject¹. Beyond the subfield of quantum optics, it is an important example of the decay of an unstable equilibrium state. Quantum fluctuations are necessary to trigger the decay of the atoms to the ground state; however, once begun the unstable nature of the process amplifies the tiny quantum fluctuations to macroscopic levels. Thus, superfluorescence gives us an insight into the nature of quantum stochastic processes.

© 1985 Optical Society of America