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What is a laser?
LASER:
Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission
of Radiation
A laser is a device that amplifies light and
produces a highly directional, high intensity
beam that most often has a very pure
frequency or wavelength [Silfast]
Pioneers
LASER COMPONENTS
Emission processes
Spontaneous emission produces incoherent radiation as
light is generated through electronic transitions from
numerous energy levels and the generated photons are
not in phase.
In stimulated emission the generated photon is of the
same frequency as the incident photon. The generated
and incident photons are in phase implying coherent
light.
Emission processes
The emitted energy is added in a constructive manner
providing amplification of light.
Both the absorption and emission processes are
described by the Einstein relations and constants.
Laser oscillator
Optical-frequency oscillator
To make a laser
1. Population inversion a criterion to provide gain
2. Stimulated emission
3. Optical feedback
L
gain medium
Optical
output
mirror
partially transmitting
mirror
18
Semiconductor
optical amplifier
(broadband,
~30 50 nm)
wavelength