Comment on "How many principles does it take to change a light bulb ... into a laser?" by Howard M. Wiseman, Physica Scripta 91 (3), 033001 (2016)

TL;DR

This comment analyzes the question of what principles differentiate a light bulb from a laser, emphasizing the role of intensity correlations and photon statistics, within the context of the Hanbury-Brown & Twiss experiment.

Contribution

It provides a clear, concise answer highlighting the importance of photon statistics in distinguishing light sources, connecting it to a well-known experimental framework.

Findings

Photon statistics differentiate light bulbs from lasers

Intensity correlations are key to understanding light source differences

The Hanbury-Brown & Twiss experiment contextualizes the analysis

Abstract

In this comment on "How many principles does it take to change a light bulb ... into a laser?" by Howard M. Wiseman, Physica Scripta 91 (3), 033001 (2016) I am analyzing this extremely nicely formulated question in the framework of the Hanbury-Brown & Twiss experiment thus celebrating also its 60th anniversary. I am giving a straightforward, concise and unique answer on this question, emphasizing that the intensity correlations or the photon statistics make the difference between a light bulb and a laser.