What is the significance of having coherent light in a laser?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the significance of coherent light in lasers, focusing on the properties of laser beams and their ability to travel long distances without significant divergence.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of coherence in laser light, questioning how it affects beam divergence and travel distance. There are attempts to connect the coherence of photons to their simultaneous impact on surfaces.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the collimation of laser beams due to mirror alignment, while others are seeking further clarification on the relationship between coherence and the behavior of photons in the beam. There is an ongoing exploration of concepts without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are encouraged to conduct additional research on lasers to deepen their understanding before continuing the discussion. This suggests that some foundational knowledge may be lacking in the conversation.

Jye
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I understand that stimulated emissions produce coherent photons. What happens as a result of their coherence? My guess is that the laser beam does not spread out as much allowing it to travel further. Also, what is the property of a laser that allows the beam to travel great distances?
 
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Jye said:
I understand that stimulated emissions produce coherent photons. What happens as a result of their coherence? My guess is that the laser beam does not spread out as much allowing it to travel further. Also, what is the property of a laser that allows the beam to travel great distances?

Welcome to the PF.

Can you try Hyperphysics or Wikipedia to read a bit more about lasers? You may find the answer there. After you have read some more about lasers, post here to tell us what you have learned, and you will be able to ask a much more specific question after doing that reading.
 
The laser beam is highly collimated as the mirrors in the laser are perpendicular. Therefore only diverges minimally. Is this what allows the laser to travel great distances?

If a laser beam is coherent does this mean that all the photons in the front of beam strike a surface at the same time?
 
Am I correct?
 

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