Lasers: Pumping & Meaning of "Pumping a Transition

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter salsero
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lasers
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The term "pumping a transition" in laser technology refers to the process of achieving population inversion, where a significant number of electrons are excited to an unstable orbital. This phenomenon is crucial for laser operation, as it allows for stimulated emission of photons. When these excited electrons transition to a more stable orbital, they release energy in the form of coherent light, resulting in a laser beam. Understanding this process is fundamental to the functioning of lasers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of atomic orbitals and electron transitions
  • Familiarity with the principles of stimulated emission
  • Knowledge of laser components and operation
  • Concept of population inversion in laser physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of stimulated emission in detail
  • Explore different types of lasers and their pumping mechanisms
  • Study the concept of population inversion in various laser mediums
  • Learn about the applications of lasers in technology and industry
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of laser technology and its applications.

salsero
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
What is the meaning of the term "pumping a transition" in relation to lasers?
 
Science news on Phys.org
The basic principle of a laser is that a significant number of electrons can be "pumped" to an unstable orbital. This is referred to as a populaltion inversion. To "pump a trasisiton" is to cause this population inversion to occur. When stimulated by a photon all of the inverted population cascades to a more stable orbital, thus a laser beam.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Why was a HAM radio license required to operate early lasers?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Optical pumping vs Rabi cycle - what is the difference between their conditions?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad How Can I Expand and Collimate a Laser Pointer Beam Using Basic Optics?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Does the ruby laser (the first invented laser) have nonlinear behavior?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad How do I stretch a laser from a beam into a sheet?
  • · Replies 81 ·
3
Replies
81
Views
7K
Undergrad Can you put out a fuse (fire) with a laser?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Undergrad Interference of two ultra short laser pulses
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
High School How to build a simple polarization filter
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Undergrad Effective absorption coefficient of gold nanoparticles
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Laser and nano-holes experiment
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K