Is laser radiation classical?

D. Holliday, A. E. Glassgold

ResearchPublished 1965

An attempt to resolve the question of whether the nature of laser radiation is amenable to classical or quantum mechanical interpretation. The Memorandum resolves the matter by solving the quantum mechanical equations of motion for an ideal laser, and by using the concept of classical motion in quantum mechanics. The results show that the laser produces a classical field while undergoing linear self-amplification, while the nonlinear behavior which follows leads to amplitude stabilization of this classical field.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1965
  • Pages: 7
  • Document Number: RM-4435-PR

Citation

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Holliday, D. and A. E. Glassgold, Is laser radiation classical? Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1965. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM4435.html.
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