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Determining random lasing action

Nature Reviews Physics volume 1, pages 690–695 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

Random lasing — for which disorder is exploited to enhance stimulated emission — has emerged as a paradigmatic phenomenon of complex lasers. Random lasers feature unique properties such as tunable coherence and reconfigurable spectral emission. Nevertheless, their complexity sets them apart from conventional lasers, making it challenging to determine whether random lasing is occurring. In this Expert Recommendation, I discuss experimental methods required to properly assess and demonstrate random lasing action.

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Fig. 1: Conventional versus random lasing.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks S. Caixeiro, S. Mujumdar and D. Saxena for useful discussions.

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  1. The Blackett Laboratory, Department of Physics, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Riccardo Sapienza

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Nature Reviews Physics thanks D. Wiersma and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer-review of this work.

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Sapienza, R. Determining random lasing action. Nat Rev Phys 1, 690–695 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42254-019-0113-8

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