Abstract
The relationship between optical amplification and spontaneous emission noise has been studied in an argon ion travelling wave amplifier by beat spectrum analysis. Different optical arrangements have been examined with both single and double pass amplification. The results establish that when coherent light travels through a gain tube, the amplified beam acquires intensity fluctuation noise which is greater than that of a Poissonian distribution (shot noise). The noise power is shown to be the same as that of an equivalent unamplified beam mixed with the amplified spontaneous emission from the gain tube. It is shown that such measurements provide a practical technique for the otherwise difficult determination of the degree of population inversion in the gain medium. They also give insight into the potential of optical amplifiers for enhancement of lidar and system performance.
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