Pulse delay time statistics in a superradiant laser with calcium atoms

Abstract

Cold samples of calcium atoms are prepared in the metastable $^{3}$P$_{1}$ state inside an optical cavity resonant with the narrow band (375 Hz) $^{1}$S$_{0} \rightarrow ^{3}$P$_{1}$ intercombination line at 657 nm. We observe superradiant emission of hyperbolic secant shaped pulses into the cavity with an intensity proportional to the square of the atom number, a duration much shorter than the natural lifetime of the $^{3}$P$_{1}$ state, and a delay time fluctuating from shot to shot in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. Our incoherent pumping scheme to produce inversion on the $^{1}$S$_{0} \rightarrow ^{3}$P$_{1}$ transition should be extendable to allow for continuous wave laser operation.