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KFC
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Can anyone briefly explain that what is saturated absorption? What's the condition to have saturated absorption?
Saturated absorption is a phenomenon that occurs when a substance is exposed to a high-intensity light source, causing all of its energy levels to become fully occupied. This results in a decrease in the absorption of light at specific wavelengths, creating a dip or "saturation" in the absorption spectrum.
Saturated absorption works by bombarding a substance with a high-intensity light source, typically a laser. The light is absorbed by the substance's electrons, causing them to jump to higher energy levels. As more and more electrons are excited, the substance becomes fully saturated, leading to a decrease in absorption at certain wavelengths.
Saturated absorption has various applications in fields such as spectroscopy, laser physics, and atomic clocks. It is used to precisely measure the frequencies of light and to lock lasers onto specific wavelengths. Saturation spectroscopy, a technique that utilizes saturated absorption, is also commonly used to study the properties of atoms and molecules.
No, saturated absorption can only be observed in substances that have discrete energy levels, such as atoms or molecules. This is because the phenomenon relies on the excitation of electrons to higher energy levels. In substances with continuous energy bands, such as solids, saturated absorption cannot occur.
Saturated absorption is different from normal absorption in that it occurs only at specific wavelengths and only when the substance is exposed to a high-intensity light source. Normal absorption, on the other hand, can occur at any wavelength and is not dependent on the intensity of the light source. Additionally, saturated absorption results in a dip or "saturation" in the absorption spectrum, while normal absorption leads to a gradual increase in absorption with increasing wavelength.