Introduction to Lasers

Lecture 1

1
INTRODUCTION -
LASER FUNDAMENTALS

Radiative Processes

Absorption

h
2 1
h E E =


Spontaneous Emission


2 1
h E E =



Stimulated Emission


2 1
h E E =
Introduction to Lasers
Lecture 1

2
Absorption Rate:


1
12 1
abs
dN
= -W N
dt
| |
|
\ .










12 1
= - FN




Absorption
Cross-Section
Units cm
2

(typical value ~ 10
-19

to 10
-18
cm
2
)


Number of atoms or
molecules in lower
energy level (typical
value ~10
20
per cm
3
)
Depends on properties
of levels 1 and 2 and #
of photons.
Photon Flux
Units #/cm
2
-sec
Introduction to Lasers
Lecture 1

3
Spontaneous Emission:


2
2
sp
dN
= -AN
dt
| |
|
\ .



2 SP
= - N /






Spontaneous lifetime,
depends on properties of levels
[Units Seconds]



Stimulated Emission:



2
21 2
st
dN
= -W N
dt
| |
|
\ .




21 2
F N =





Stimulated Photon Flux
Emission
Cross-Section

Introduction to Lasers
Lecture 1

4
Einstein Showed: (From thermodynamic considerations)


12 21
12 21
W = W
and =
(Non-Degenerate Levels)



Degenerate Levels:



2 E

#







1
E
g
1
sub-Levels

#





Then

1 12 2 21
1 12 2 21
g W = g W
and
g = g




g
2
sub-Levels
each with the same
energy E
2

Introduction to Lasers
Lecture 1

5
The Laser Idea

in
F
out
F
dz



2 1
st abs
dN dN
- +
d dt
out in
F F dz
t
(
| | | |
= (
| |
(
\ . \ .







# of photons produced per unit
volume per unit time




21 2 12 1
2 1
21 2
1
The Inversion
<0 Net Absorption
>0 Net Amplification
therefore dF = F N - FN
g N
= F N - dz
g

(
(

Introduction to Lasers
Lecture 1

6
Thermodynamic Equilibrium:



E - E
2 1
k T
B
-
2 2
1 1 < 1
2 1
1 2
2 1
2
1
2 1
2
1
N g
= e
N
N g
< 1
N g
g N
N - < 0
g
Absorption
g N
So N - > 0 is a non-equilibrium situation called a
"Population Inversion"
g
g

Introduction to Lasers
Lecture 1

7



When gain in gain medium balances loss at the mirrors, plus any additional loss in the
cavity, then we get lasing.


21 inv
N
-1
inv
21 inv
2 1
21 2
1
N
21 inv
N
21 inv
G(z) = e
(units cm )
g N dF
= F N -
dz g
= N F
F(z) = F(0) e
The "Gain"
The "Gain coefficient" g N
z
z

| |
|
|
|
|
\ .

Introduction to Lasers
Lecture 1

8



Lasing Condition



inv
21
1 2
Single Pass
Cavity Loss
2g 2
1 2 i
2
2
1 2 i
c
G(2 ) R R (1-L ) = 1 (Gain Balances Loss)
or
e R R (1-L ) = 1
or
e R R (1-L ) = 1
N The value of N for which the lasing condition
is satisfied,
inv
i
N

A
A

A
( ) ( )
1 2 i
c
21
1 1 2 2
1 2
c
21
R R
)
called the "Critical Inversion"
ln(R R ) + 2 (1-L )
N =
2
We will frequently encounter "Logarithmic Losses"
- = -
ln(1
and
2
so N =
i i
i
n
n n
L

+
+
A
A
A A
A