Wavelength of a laser within an optical cavity

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the wavelength of a laser within an optical cavity, specifically addressing the equations for frequency shift and mode number. The participant struggles with determining the correct cavity length, initially calculating it as 0.5m but later correcting it to 0.9m. The equations used include the frequency shift equation, $$\delta v=\frac{c}{2nL}$$, and the mode number equation, $$N=\frac{2nL\Delta v}{c}$$. The participant aims to verify the wavelength of 600nm using the equation $$\lambda=2\times L_{c}/N$$.

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  • Understanding of optical cavities and laser physics
  • Familiarity with the equations of wave optics, particularly frequency shift and mode number
  • Knowledge of the speed of light in different media
  • Basic algebra for rearranging and solving equations
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  • Study the derivation and application of the frequency shift equation $$\delta v=\frac{c}{2nL}$$
  • Explore the relationship between cavity length and mode number in laser systems
  • Investigate the implications of varying the refractive index on laser wavelength
  • Learn about the practical applications of optical cavities in laser technology
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Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on optics and laser technology, as well as anyone involved in designing or analyzing optical cavities.

Taylor_1989
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1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known date
optic1.png
optic2.png

Homework Equations


$$\delta v=\frac{c}{2nL} \:[1]$$
$$N=\frac{\Delta v}{\delta v}=\frac{2nL\Delta v}{c} \:[2]$$

The Attempt at a Solution


I am having trouble with question 5, but have come to realize I think my cavity length is wrong but I can't see how.

Here my working for question 1

Assuming that the medium is in the middle at equal distance from each mirror, then I could assume that ##L=L_{m}+2x## so subsituiting this into equation 1.

$$\delta v=\frac{c}{2nL}=\frac{c}{2n(L_{m}+2x)}$$

by rearranging the equation for x

$$x=\left(\frac{c}{\delta \:v}\cdot \:\frac{1}{2n}-Lm\right)\cdot \frac{1}{2}$$

so subbing ##x=0.1## I make the cavity length ##L=L_{m}+2(0.1)=0.5m##.

Which seem to reasonable to me. But if I plug this length of the cavity into [2] and using the spectral range of ##3\times 10^{7}## I make the number of modes 0.3 which can't be correct.

So the reason I want to workout the number of modes is so I can verify the ##600nm## via the equation ##\lambda=2\times L_{c}/N##, which dose not give the 600nm so either my cavity is length is wrong or my understanding is wrong.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
 

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Taylor_1989 said:
δv=c2nL=c2n(Lm+2x)δv=c2nL=c2n(Lm+2x)​
\delta v=\frac{c}{2nL}=\frac{c}{2n(L_{m}+2x)}
Only Lm is at index n. Here you have the whole path at index n
 
Cutter Ketch said:
Only Lm is at index n. Here you have the whole path at index n

Yes I realized this after a while, and then re corrected my ans for the path length being 0.9m
 

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