Lasers
Amplified light from the stimulated emission of radiation.
1. Introduction to Lasers
Everyone loves playing with lasers and they are really useful for many experiments in A Level Physics. The monochromatic light of one wavelength is great for showing diffraction and many other wave phenomena.
​
​
2. Stimulated Emission
To understand how lasers work we need to look at the three processes that occur within an atom when it interacts with a photon: absorption, spontaneous emission or even stimulated emission.
​
​
3. Population Inversion
In order to allow an in increase in the total number of photons emitted by a sample there needs to be more atoms held in the high energy excited state. Here I explain why.
​
​
4. 3 and 4 Level Systems
In reality, a three or four level energy system is used to allow a population inversion, with the atoms excited by pumping them with an external source of energy.
​
​
5. Construction and Laser Diodes
Here I show you the general construction of a laser and also how the small semiconductor laser diodes are constructed. These have hundred of uses and can be found everywhere in the modern world.
​
​