The electrodynamics of active continuous media is used to theoretically examine collective spontaneous emission regimes of dipole oscillator ensembles. Recent experiments that observed the superfluorescence phenomenon are reviewed. The focus is on propagation and interaction effects experienced by the inhomogeneous waves of active centers' polarization and electromagnetic field. The superradiant laser dynamics are examined and prospects for realization of superradiant lasers using low-Q cavities are discussed.

Keywords: collective spontaneous emission, Dicke superradiance, coherent processes, mode selection, multimode lasers PACS: 32.50.+d, 32.80.Qk, 42.50.Nn, 42.55.−f (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2017.03.038098 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2017/4/b/ 000405325500002 2-s2.0-85025175586 2017PhyU...60..345K Citation: Kocharovsky V V, Zheleznyakov V V, Kocharovskaya E R, Kocharovsky V V "Superradiance: the principles of generation and implementation in lasers" Phys. Usp. 60 345–384 (2017) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS) MedlineRefWorks PT Journal Article TI Superradiance: the principles of generation and implementation in lasers AU Kocharovsky V V FAU Kocharovsky VV AU Zheleznyakov V V FAU Zheleznyakov VV AU Kocharovskaya E R FAU Kocharovskaya ER AU Kocharovsky V V FAU Kocharovsky VV DP 10 Apr, 2017 TA Phys. Usp. VI 60 IP 4 PG 345-384 RX 10.3367/UFNe.2017.03.038098 URL https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2017/4/b/ SO Phys. Usp. 2017 Apr 10;60(4):345-384 Received: 3rd, March 2017, accepted: 9th, March 2017 Оригинал: Кочаровский В В, Железняков В В, Кочаровская Е Р, Кочаровский В В «Сверхизлучение: принципы генерации и реализация в лазерах» УФН 187 367–410 (2017); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2017.03.038098