The Laser/Atom Connection
A laser is a device that controls the way that energized atoms release photons. Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, which describes very succinctly how a laser works!
Although there are many types of lasers, all have certain essential features. In a laser, the lasing medium is "pumped" to get the atoms into an excited state. Typically, very intense flashes of light or electrical discharges pump the lasing medium and create a large collection of excited-state atoms (atoms with higher energy electrons). It is necessary to have a large collection of atoms in the excited state for the laser to work efficiently. In general, the atoms are excited to a level that is two or three levels above the ground state. This increases the degree of population inversion. The population inversion is the number of atoms in the excited state versus the ground state.
Once the lasing medium is pumped, it contains a collection......
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