Light emitters in a single-mode nanolaser interact with the same cavity field that gives rise to polarization correlations which transform the cavity mode. Usually these correlations are ignored, however, collective phenomena can lead to the distinct sub- and superradiance, whose fully quantum description is challenging. Here we develop a simple yet rigorous picture of radiative transitions in single-mode nanolasers that accounts for polarization correlations. We show that the collective behavior of emitters modifies the photonic density of states leading to gain-dependent Purcell enhancement of spontaneous emission. Moreover, the stimulated emission rate is dependent on both the photon number and the laser line shape. As the laser line narrows, stimulated emission becomes stronger than predicted by Einstein's relations and the nanolaser reaches the threshold earlier. Finally, we provide concise, ready-to-use expressions for spontaneous and stimulated emission rates seamlessly describing both conventional and superradiant nanolasers.

• Received 18 February 2021
• Revised 16 December 2021
• Accepted 27 January 2022

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.105.085116