Why don't electron go into the next orbit during stimulated emission?

In summary, the conversation discusses the phenomenon of stimulated emission in lasers and the question of why electrons do not move into the next orbit when colliding with an excited electron. The answer lies in the specific frequency of the stimulating photon and the uneven spacing of atomic energy levels. The process of stimulated emission results in the emission of a photon and the electron returning to the ground state.
  • #1
.::Ash::.
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Why don't electrons go into the next orbit during stimulated emission?

Hey all,
I was studying stimulated emission in lasers and I had a doubt regarding the same.
When the electron collides with another which is in an excited state, why doesn't the electron, which gets collided, move into the next orbit? Why does it radiate a photon and goes into the ground state?

It would be great if someone could explain it to me in simple terms.

Thank you.
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF;
The "simple terms" answer is: "it just does" - the trigger is the particular frequency of the stimulating photon.
See: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/mod5.html
Basically: it is a property of photons that they like to travel together in bunches.

It's probably not very useful to think of the effects in terms of collisions though.

If the incoming photon had the same energy as the gap to the next higher energy level, then the electron would, indeed, go there. But atomic energy levels are not evenly spaced like rungs on a ladder - they get closer together as you get higher. If the incoming photon has the same energy as the gap between the excited level and the ground state, then you get stimulated emission.

Also see: http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200508/history.cfm
 
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1. Why do electrons stay in their current orbit during stimulated emission?

Electrons stay in their current orbit during stimulated emission because they are in a stable energy state. In order for an electron to move to the next orbit, it must absorb energy. Since stimulated emission involves the release of energy, the electron does not have enough energy to move to a higher energy level.

2. Can an electron ever move to a higher energy level during stimulated emission?

No, an electron cannot move to a higher energy level during stimulated emission. As mentioned before, stimulated emission involves the release of energy, so the electron remains in its current energy state.

3. How does stimulated emission differ from spontaneous emission in terms of electron movement?

In stimulated emission, the electron remains in its current energy state and releases a photon of light. In spontaneous emission, the electron moves to a lower energy level and releases a photon of light. This results in a different wavelength of light being emitted.

4. Is it possible for an electron to move to a lower energy level during stimulated emission?

Yes, it is possible for an electron to move to a lower energy level during stimulated emission. This is known as stimulated absorption, where an incoming photon of energy causes the electron to move to a higher energy level.

5. Why is stimulated emission necessary for the operation of lasers?

Stimulated emission is necessary for the operation of lasers because it creates a population inversion, where more electrons are in a higher energy state than a lower one. This allows for a cascade effect, where multiple photons of the same wavelength are emitted, resulting in a coherent, monochromatic laser beam.

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