2008/10/23 by John K. Stockton, A. K. Tuchman, Ari K. Tuchman
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Mechanical and Optical Resonators #Quantum optics and atomic interactions #Spectroscopy and Laser Applications #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreva.79.013822
arxiv created 2008/10/23 · openalex publication_date 2009/01/27 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We investigate the limits of intracavity absorption spectroscopy with nonlinear media. Using a common theoretical framework, we compare the detection of a trace gas within (i) an undriven cavity with gain near and above threshold; (ii) a driven cavity with gain kept just below threshold; and (iii) a cavity driven close to the saturation point of a saturable absorber. These phase-transition-based metrology methods are typically quantum limited by spontaneous emission, and we compare them to the empty-cavity shot-noise-limited case. Although the fundamental limits achievable with nonlinear media do not surpass the empty-cavity limits, we show that nonlinear methods are more robust against certain technical noise models. This recognition may have applications in spectrometer design for devices operating in nonideal field environments.