Is a Radio Wave Raser Feasible and How Would It Function?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of creating a "raser" (Radio Amplification by Stimulated Emission), analogous to a laser but operating with radio waves. Participants explore the mechanisms, challenges, and potential methods for generating coherent radio waves, particularly at lower frequencies.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the possibility of creating a "raser" and seeks clarification on how it could be achieved.
  • Another participant notes that the first lasers were actually microwave-based, suggesting a distinction in wavelength definitions.
  • A participant proposes the idea of generating coherent waves at a frequency of 32 kHz and inquires about the feasibility and accuracy of such generation.
  • It is mentioned that masers are microwave-frequency lasers, and at lower frequencies, conventional laser mechanisms may not be applicable due to insufficient energy per photon.
  • One participant highlights the challenges of generating coherent radiation at 32 kHz, particularly the need for large antennas due to the long wavelength, and discusses the stability of frequency references available at that frequency.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of generating coherent radio waves at lower frequencies, particularly regarding the mechanisms involved and the practical challenges faced. No consensus is reached on the overall feasibility of a "raser."

Contextual Notes

The discussion reveals limitations related to the definitions of radio and microwave frequencies, the energy requirements for stimulated emission, and the practical challenges of antenna size for lower frequency coherent radiation.

ChrisAndre
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"Raser": Is it Possible?

Is it possible to make a "raser" (Radio Amplification by Stimulated Emission), or what we know now as a laser, but in the form of radio waves? How would this be achieved?
 
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Depends what wavelength you are calling radio - the first 'lasers' were microwave
 


Microwaves? Cool! Say 32KHz frequency. Is there a way to generate coherent waves at this frequency? How accurate would this be?
 


Indeed...masers are microwave-frequency lasers.

At lower frequencies, a conventional laser probably isn't workable...not enough energy per photon to stimulate emission in the usual manner. Coherent radiation at these frequencies is easy to produce more directly, though...you could draw some analogies between a laser/maser tube and an oscillator circuit, though the mechanism is quite different.
 


ChrisAndre said:
Microwaves? Cool! Say 32KHz frequency. Is there a way to generate coherent waves at this frequency? How accurate would this be?

32 kHz is far, far below microwave frequencies...it's at the bottom of the low frequency band. The main difficulty with generating coherent radiation at this frequency is its long wavelength...you need a large antenna to efficiently emit it.

How accurate would it be in what respect? There's plenty of 32.768 kHz crystals out there that would allow for an extremely stable frequency reference. With a wavelength of 9 km, you're not going to hit a small target with it.
 

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