Coherence and intensity statistics in phase-conjugate resonators

The spectra, coherence properties, and intensity fluctuations of waves generated by reflections of a noisy probe field from a phase-conjugate Fabry-Perot resonator are discussed. The emphasis of the analysis is on the spectral response of the resonator. The results obtained are in fill agreement with those derived using specific noise models in the time domain. Advantages of the frequency-domain analyses include full tractability of general probe-wave noise models and fast convergence of numerical computations. The reflected-wave coherence properties reveal an interesting periodic structure due to multiple intracavity reflections. The intensity fluctuation levels, which depend on the statistical models, are calculated explicitly for pure Markovian phase noise and Gaussian amplitude noise of the probe. Combinations of these two, yielding simple laser models, and other extensions of noise effects in phase-conjugate resonators are briefly discussed