A quantum theory of formation and propagation of superfluorescence and Stokes pulses in samples of small Fresnel numbers is presented. Linearized Maxwell-Heisenberg equations for the system of two-level atoms and a quantized electromagnetic field are solved analytically in the second-order Debye approximation. Under this approximation paths of rays which undergo one reflection from the sides of the sample and those which propagate without reflections are studied. We point out that due to guiding effects, if the Fresnel number is smaller than unity, the contribution from totally reflected rays is not negligible with respect to that from nonreflected rays. This leads to the interference between reflected and nonreflected rays which affects spatial properties of superfluorescence and Stokes pulses. Moreover, as a consequence of guiding effects, the spectral density of light becomes asymmetric and shifted from the atomic resonance frequency.

• Received 6 May 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.34.3109