Lasing in Random Amplifying Media

Abstract

The transport of light in certain media is diffusive – this happens to due to repeated scattering off refractive index inhomogeneities. This chapter begins with a discussion of the factors that bring about and control the diffusion of light in random media. Thereafter, the transport of light through random amplifying media is discussed. This has given rise to many interesting phenomena like the “mirrorless random lasing” and the observation of Lévy statistics. These will be elaborated upon.