1. May 15, 2009 #1

   KFC

   

   What does saturation mean in laser physics? I am reading some material on two-level system, in which it mentions something call "saturating pump field", what does this field mean?

    

   KFC, May 15, 2009
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3. May 15, 2009 #2

   Andy Resnick

   

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   In the two-state approximation (ground state and excited state), a pump field can move atoms from the ground state to excited state. When the efficiency of pumping goes to zero (which is reached at a 50-50 population distribution, IIRC), the laser medium is said to be 'saturated'- no additional atoms can be moved into the excited state without some returning to the ground state.
   
   Population inversion (lasing with gain) requires at least three states.

    

   Andy Resnick, May 15, 2009

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