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Understanding Laser Technology Basics

Lasers are devices that emit coherent, monochromatic, and highly directional light based on the principle of stimulated emission. They consist of an active medium, a pumping source, and an optical resonator, and are characterized by their high intensity and precision. Lasers have various applications across engineering, medical, communication, military, scientific research, and consumer electronics, though they can be expensive and require safety precautions.

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Rohit Chauhan
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9 views2 pages

Understanding Laser Technology Basics

Lasers are devices that emit coherent, monochromatic, and highly directional light based on the principle of stimulated emission. They consist of an active medium, a pumping source, and an optical resonator, and are characterized by their high intensity and precision. Lasers have various applications across engineering, medical, communication, military, scientific research, and consumer electronics, though they can be expensive and require safety precautions.

Uploaded by

Rohit Chauhan
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of

Radiation)

1. Introduction
• Laser is a device that emits a beam of coherent, monochromatic, and highly directional light.
• Based on the principle of stimulated emission (predicted by Einstein in 1917).

2. Basic Principles
• Absorption: Atom absorbs a photon → moves to higher energy level.
• Spontaneous Emission: Atom returns to lower energy → emits photon randomly.
• Stimulated Emission: Incoming photon stimulates excited atom → emits another photon in
same phase, direction, frequency.
• Population Inversion: Number of atoms in excited state > ground state (achieved using
pumping).
• Optical Resonator: Two mirrors reflect photons back and forth to amplify them, producing a
strong beam.

3. Characteristics of Laser Light


• Monochromatic → single wavelength.
• Coherent → same phase relationship.
• Highly directional → narrow, collimated beam.
• High intensity → large power concentrated in small area.

4. Components of Laser
• Active Medium → provides atoms/molecules for stimulated emission (ex: Ruby, He-Ne gas,
semiconductor).
• Pumping Source → supplies energy (electrical, optical, chemical).
• Optical Resonator (Cavity) → two mirrors (one fully reflecting, one partially transmitting).

5. Types of Lasers
• Solid-state lasers: Ruby laser, Nd:YAG laser.
• Gas lasers: He-Ne laser, CO■ laser.
• Semiconductor lasers (diode lasers).
• Liquid dye lasers.
• Excimer lasers.

6. Applications
• Engineering: Cutting, welding, drilling, surface treatment.
• Medical: Eye surgery (LASIK), cancer treatment.
• Communication: Optical fiber communication.
• Military: Range finding, target designation.
• Scientific Research: Holography, spectroscopy.
• Consumer Electronics: CD/DVD players, barcode scanners.

7. Advantages
• High precision.
• Non-contact process.
• Can focus on very small spot size.
• Wide industrial and medical uses.

8. Disadvantages
• Expensive setup.
• Requires safety precautions (eye hazard).
• Efficiency can be low for some types.

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