1

Basic Principles of Lasers

Presentation By: Zack Hansel
Instructor: Dr. Cristian Bahrim
Presentation for an Honors Contract
Spring 2007 Modern Physics
2
Summary
Classification of light-atom interaction.
Necessary conditions for a lasing transition.
Standard lasing systems:
- three-level atom system,
- four-level atom system.
Properties of a laser.
Types and uses of lasers.
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Classification of Light-atom
Interaction
Stimulated absorption
+ h >

Spontaneous emission

> + h
Stimulated emission

+ h > + 2h
4
The Cascade of Photons
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Energy Distribution
For N
o
atoms in thermal equilibrium at temperature T
the population of atoms N
j
on the j-state is
N
j
=N
o
exp(-E
j
/kT) (Boltzman distribution)
where kT represents the mean energy of the atoms.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Energy
P
o
p
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
(N
1
; E
1
)
(N
2
; E
2
)
Ground state
(N
2
; E
2
)
(N
1
; E
1
)
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Understanding the Lasing
Process
LASER Light Amplification by
Stimulated Emission of Radiation
Necessary conditions for a lasing transition:
- population inversion,
- metastable states.
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Population Inversion
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Energy
P
o
p
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
(N
1
; E
1
)
(N
2
; E
2
)
Metastable States
Ground state
Long-lived state (~1 ms)
Short-lived state (~1 ns)
Laser beam
Spontaneous
(N
2
; E
2
)
(N
1
; E
1
)
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Three-level Atom
Example: Ruby laser (uses Cr
++
ions)
Deficiency Photons may be re-absorbed
during the lasing process > it makes the
laser beam weaker.
E
3
E
2
E
1
P
U
M
P
I
N
G
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The build-up of a Laser
1) Pumping
(excitation of atoms)
2) Stimulated emission
of atoms
3) The lasing process
is enriched by multiple
reflections between mirrors
4) A laser beam exits.
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Ruby Laser
Developed by Theodore H. Maiman in 1960
Creates a beam at = 694 nm (deep red).
Metastable state of ~3ms
Has efficiency of less than 1% but creates a diameter
ranging from 1 mm to about 25 mm, so a large energy
density is achieved in the laser beam.
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Four-level Atom
Example: HeNe laser
P
U
M
P
I
N
G
P
U
M
P
I
N
G
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Properties of a Laser
Monochromaticity same or frequency
Directivity
Highly correlated photons for long distances.
High energy-density
Polarization
Modes
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Resonant Cavity
HeNe
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Modes of Lasers
Mono-mode laser Gaussian profile
Multimode lasers
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Types of Lasers
Gaseous laser :
- atomic gaseous lasers (e.g. HeNe)
- molecular laser (e.g. CO
2
)
Dye laser (e.g. N
2
- rhodamine)
Electronic laser (uses the acceleration of electrons)
Solid laser semiconductor (YAG-Nd laser)
Atomic laser Bose-Einstein condensate.
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HeNe Laser
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A Look at Laser
Sizes
Dye Laser
Wavelengths
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YAG-Nd Laser
Electronic Laser
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Comparisons of a Few Lasers
Both IR 940-1440nm YAG:Nd
CW Microwaves
-X-rays
1mm-1nm Electronic
Usually Pulse IR-UV 360-720nm Dye
CW IR 9.4-10.6m CO
2
CW IR-Visible 1.15m-633nm HeNe
Pulse or CW Range Typical Laser
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The use of Lasers
Science precise measurements, spectroscopy
Medicine laser scalpel, eye surgery
Industry cutting and welding, guidance systems
Arts etching
Telecommunications (fiber optics)
Radars
Precise measurement of long distances (e.g. Moon)
Consumer CDs, DVDs, laser lights
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Resources
Modern Physics, Kenneth Krane, 2
nd
ed., John
Wiley & Sons, Inc. (1996).
Introduction to Laser Physics, Koichi Shimoda,
Springer-Verlag (1984).
Optics, Eugene Hecht, 4
th
ed., Addison Wesley
(2002).
Sams Laser FAQ, Samuel Goldwasser,
http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm.
Wikipedia, www.wikipedia.org