292

Lasers

12.4 Absorption

and amplification

Let us look now at energy levels 2 and 3 and consider the induced hansition rate between them. It is

Wr:t:Br>D(u):' 8:rnIlr ui/rnon,

c3

p(v)

(t2.28)

where eqns (12.11) and (12.13) have been used. The transition rate will of course depend on the lineshape function. so we need to multiply eqn ( I 2.28) by g(u). We shall also introduce the power densiry (measured in W m-2) instead of the radiation density (measured in J m 3) with the relation
c I : -p, n

(r2.2e)

leading to the form

I ptrt !/rr:-!. i l
8z lr
y'l

12.30)

uJ l*n,,n,

Now the number of induced transition per second is N3 trV32 per unit volume, and the corrcsponding energy density per second is N3W32ftu. For uprvard transitions. wc obtain similarly N1W32hv. and hence the porver lost in a d: thickness of the material is (Nr - NlW32hv d:. Denoting the change in power densitv across the d: elerr-rent bv d1. we obtain the differentiai equation.

dI _
d.-

",1''tI I,l | ,l

/{l } = tNr -

N1

}^-.

czg(u)
1

x-7 ,1. l,- Isponr

12.31)

which has the solution. I (Z)

:1(0)

exP

Y(u):

(12.32)

Under thermal equilibrium conditions N3 < N2, and consequently, the input light suffers absorption. However. when Nr > N2. that is there is a population inversion, the input light is amplified.

12.5

Resonators and conditions of oscillation

As we have said before. the energy levels are not infinitely narrow, hence emission occurs in a finite frequency band. For single-frequency emission (by single-frequency, we mean here a single narrow frequency range) allthe excited states should decay in unison. But how would an atom in one corner of the material know when its mate in the other corner decides to take the plunge?
They need some kind of coordinating agent or-in the parlance of the electronic engineer-a feedback mechanism. What could give the required feedback? The photons themselves. They stimulate the emission of furtherphotons as discussed in the previous section and also ensure that the emissions occur at the right time. If we want to form a somewhat better physical picfure of this feedback mechanism, it is advisable to retum to the language of classical physics and taik