Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

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Ruby Laser, by T. H. Maiman, 1960

National Ignition Facility, Lawrence Livermore Lab 1.8MJ, 192 Lasers

106J fired every second106W = 10,000 100W lightbulbsEnough to supply 3000 households

Nova Target Chamber (LBNL) - Laser Fusion

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1 0

Compact Disc (CD) Reader

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E

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absorption emission Stimulated emission

iE

fEMirror Mirror

Population inversion

iE

fEMirror MirrorSpontaneous emission

iE

fEMirrorMirror

Stimulated emission

iE

fEMirrorMirror

Feed-back by the cavity

iE

fEMirrorMirror

Stimulated emission

iE

fEMirrorMirror

Feed-back by the cavity

iE

fEMirrorMirror

Laser beam

After several round trips…

Photons with: - same energy : Monochromatic- same direction of propagation : Spatial coherence- all in synchrony: Temporal coherence

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QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.Dye molecules:strong absorption & emission

To make a dye lase

Pump:UV laser

Cylinder Lens

Partial (4%) reflector

Off to the Lab!