Superfluorescence in dense solid-state systems

Superfluorescence is one of the few quantum phenomena in which a macroscopic ensemble of initially incoherent quantum oscillators exhibits cooperative, coherent behavior due to efficient self-phasing. In dense solid-state systems, ultrafast energy and phase relaxation tend to prevent the buildup of macroscopic optical polarization. I will discuss several examples where superfluorescence remains possible despite ultrafast decoherence and where it could enable interesting photonic applications.