Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
Ruby Laser, by T. H. Maiman, 1960
National Ignition Facility, Lawrence Livermore Lab 1.8MJ, 192 Lasers 10 6 J fired every second 10 6 W = 10, W lightbulbs Enough to supply 3000 households
Nova Target Chamber (LBNL) - Laser Fusion
1 0 Compact Disc (CD) Reader
E h absorptionemissionStimulated emission
Mirror Population inversion
Mirror Spontaneous emission
Mirror Stimulated emission
Mirror Feed-back by the cavity
Mirror Stimulated emission
Mirror Feed-back by the cavity
Mirror Laser beam After several round trips… Photons with: - same energy : Monochromatic - same direction of propagation : Spatial coherence - all in synchrony: Temporal coherence
Dye molecules: strong absorption & emission
To make a dye lase Pump: UV laser Cylinder Lens Partial (4%) reflector
Off to the Lab!