Spectral linewidth in laser amplifiers and amplified spontaneous emission, and its relevance to the interstellar medium

Abstract

The linewidth of the radiation from a high gain system of atoms depends critically upon whether the system amplifies an external signal or whether it is a source of amplified spontaneous emission. The nature of the saturation is the determining factor. The result has considerable relevance to the problem of radiation from the interstellar medium. © 1972.