The discussion focuses on the mechanics of optical pumping in laser systems, specifically addressing the role of laser wavelengths in achieving population inversion. It is established that in three-state lasers, the wavelength corresponding to the transition from the metastable state may be absorbed, which can hinder population inversion. Continuous Wave (CW) lasers are more commonly used for pumping due to their broader bandwidth, which can encompass the necessary laser transition. In contrast, two-level laser systems cannot achieve population inversion due to immediate stimulated emission from optical pumping photons.
PREREQUISITESLaser physicists, optical engineers, and students studying laser technology will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the intricacies of optical pumping and population inversion in laser systems.
Do you mean, removed from the spectrum of the pumping pulse due to absorption? This indeed might happen for a three-state laser, which of course constitute one of the disadvantages of this type of laser. However, pulsed laser, whose bandwidth may indeed be big enough to cover the laser transition, is not always used in most laser system, instead CW lasers enjoy more frequent use in pumping most laser systems.JG1009 said:During optical pumping in a laser, is the wavelength of light that corresponds to the transition from the metastable state that yields the laser light removed?
It depends which laser system you are talking about, if it's 2-level system then yes population inversion can never be realized.JG1009 said:Otherwise, wouldn't a population inversion not be possible as these photons from the optical pumping would cause stimulated emission immediately.