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arXiv · 2501.11861

A Generalized Schawlow-Townes Limit

Hudson A. Loughlin·Vivishek Sudhir
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Abstract

We study a class of a feedback oscillators realized by a phase-insensitive amplifier in positive feedback, where either the amplifier or the feedback element may determine the oscillator's linewidth. The spectral purity of the output of such a device originates from basic demands of quantum mechanics and causality. The resulting expression generalizes the Schawlow-Townes limit, which is itself one component of a standard quantum limit for feedback oscillators. Recently realized bad-cavity oscillators such as super-radiant lasers and solid-state masers can saturate this generalized Schawlow-Townes limit. This limit can be surpassed through appropriate quantum engineering: for example by atomic spin squeezing in a super-radiant laser.

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BibTeXRIS

Hudson A. Loughlin, Vivishek Sudhir. 2025-01-21. A Generalized Schawlow-Townes Limit. https://doi.org/10.1103/6t5c-swxn

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