Laser - Einstein's Coefficients

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation and definitions of Einstein's coefficients in the context of spontaneous emission in lasers. Participants explore the relationship between the coefficients and their respective meanings, particularly focusing on the distinction between spontaneous emission and absorption.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether B21, defined as the probability of spontaneous emission per unit time, is the same as the probability of spontaneous emission per unit energy density.
  • Another participant clarifies that spontaneous emission is typically denoted as A21, while B21 is associated with absorption and stimulated emission.
  • Dimensional analysis is suggested as a method to determine the units of P21 in the context of the equations presented.
  • There is a request for clarification regarding the source of the information, indicating a lack of citation from a specific author or text.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and uses of Einstein's coefficients, particularly A21 and B21, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing interpretations.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the clarity of definitions and the context in which these coefficients are used, as well as the absence of a specific source for the information being discussed.

cupid.callin
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Hi all,

I was reading Lasers and i read something like this:

for spontaneous emission, the rate of decay of electrons in high-energy state to low energy state is given by:

\frac{dN_2}{dt} = P_{21}N_2

where P21 is equal to the probability of electron to drop from higher energy state to lower energy state.

Now, P21 was defined as P_{21} = B_{21}u(\nu)

And B_{21} is called Einstein's Coefficients of spontaneous emission

then in some other topic, they wrote B21 as probability of spontaneous emission per unit time.

Are they really same thing? ... I guess not ... B21 should be something like probability of spontaneous emission per-unit Energy density (:p i know this doesn't make any sense ... ) ...

Please Help ...
 
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Spontaneous emission is nearly always written as A21, not B21 - B is used for absorption and stimulated emission. You can use dimensional analysis to find the units in the equation you wrote - what units must P21 have?
 
cupid.callin said:
Hi all,
I was reading Lasers ...
By what author? Siegman? Milloni & Eberly? Other?
 
JeffKoch said:
Spontaneous emission is nearly always written as A21, not B21 - B is used for absorption and stimulated emission. You can use dimensional analysis to find the units in the equation you wrote - what units must P21 have?

Oh yes, sorry i wasn't careful enough while typing ..
 
Redbelly98 said:
By what author? Siegman? Milloni & Eberly? Other?

Its not from any book ... i pasted it from some website into MS word ... so i don't even remember the site ... :p
 

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