Ultrafast phenomena in an active microcavity

Some ultrafast phenomena occurring in an active microcavity have been investigated. This device can behave as an efficient source of non-classical light, when a small number of molecules inside are excited by a femtosecond laser.In this way single photon n > states are generated with anon-classical sub-Poissonian distribution. Multiple excitations of a larger number of molecules can give rise to collective phenomena because of the strong super-radiant ultrafast coupling within the transverse region of the microcavity electromagnetic field. This process has been experimentally studied by means of a high efficiency, single photon, femtosecond non-linear optical gate.