Superradiance: the principles of generation and implementation in lasers

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