1. Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

2. Ruby Laser, by T. H. Maiman, 1960

3. National Ignition Facility, Lawrence Livermore Lab
1.8MJ, 192 Lasers
106J fired every second
106W = 10, W lightbulbs
Enough to supply 3000 households

4. Nova Target Chamber (LBNL) - Laser Fusion

7. Compact Disc (CD) Reader1

10. hn
absorption
emission
Stimulated emission E

11. Population inversion
Mirror
Mirror

12. Spontaneous emission
Mirror
Mirror

13. Stimulated emission
Mirror
Mirror

14. Feed-back by the cavity
Mirror
Mirror

15. Stimulated emission
Mirror
Mirror

16. Feed-back by the cavity
Mirror
Mirror

17. After several round trips…
Mirror
Mirror
Laser beam
Photons with:
- same energy : Monochromatic
- same direction of propagation : Spatial coherence
- all in synchrony: Temporal coherence

22. strong absorption & emission
Dye molecules:
strong absorption & emission

23. To make a dye lase
Partial (4%) reflector
Pump:
UV laser
Cylinder Lens

24. Off to the Lab!