Intensity $g^{(2)}$-correlations in random fiber lasers: A random matrix theory approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel random matrix theory approach to calculate the second-order intensity correlation function in random fiber lasers, successfully matching experimental results and extending to disordered photonic systems.

Contribution

It applies Ginibre's non-Hermitian random matrix ensemble to photonic systems for the first time, enabling calculation of $g^{(2)}(t)$ in complex random lasers.

Findings

Excellent agreement with experimental measurements

First application of Ginibre ensemble in photonics

Extension potential for various disordered systems

Abstract

We propose a new approach based on random matrix theory to calculate the temporal second-order intensity correlation function $g^{(2)}(t)$ of the radiation emitted by random lasers and random fiber lasers. The multimode character of these systems, with a relevant degree of disorder in the active medium, and large number of random scattering centers substantially hinder the calculation of $g^{(2)}(t)$. Here we apply for the first time in a photonic system the universal statistical properties of Ginibre's non-Hermitian random matrix ensemble to obtain $g^{(2)}(t)$. Excellent agreement is found with time-resolved measurements for several excitation powers of an erbium-based random fiber laser. We also discuss the extension of the random matrix approach to address the statistical properties of general disordered photonic systems with various Hamiltonian symmetries.