PRE-U TEXT PHYSICS VOLUME 2 ISBN: 978 983 3879 85 4

PRE-U TEXT
Physics Volume 2

Chapter 32 Laser
Practice 32

At the end of this chapter you must know the following:

Principle of Production

Characteristics of Laser

Uses of Laser

STPM : 1999, P1/Q29; 2002, P1/Q5; 2005, P1/Q15; 2005, P1/Q16; 2005, P1/Q18
Reference : Pages 235 to 236

Guide

Principle of Production

The emission of electromagnetic radiation due to electrons jumping from

higher energy levels to lower energy levels in a random manner is known as

spontaneous emission.

The emission of a photon by an excited atom in the presence of

electromagnetic radiation of the right frequency is known as stimulated

radiation.

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PRE-U TEXT PHYSICS VOLUME 2 ISBN: 978 983 3879 85 4

An excited state whose lifetime is appreciably long is known as a metastable

state.

Conditions for producing laser:

Must have an active laser medium

Must have a device to provide energy to excite the atoms of the laser

medium (optical pumping)

Light in the medium must be trapped in a resonant cavity

Characteristics of Laser

Has very high intensity and is very bright

Is very coherent

Is nearly monochromatic

Has very small degree of divergence

Can be focused to a very fine point

Uses of Laser

Used in cutting material

Used in reading bar codes

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PRE-U TEXT PHYSICS VOLUME 2 ISBN: 978 983 3879 85 4

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