LASER
PRESENTED BY :
• Kapur Pandey
• Santosh Ray
• Ashutosh Thapa
• Naman Adhikari
• Safal Subedi
• Laxman Thapa Magar
• Gagan Bhusal
• Pawan Adhikari
INTRODUCTION
• Light amplification by stimulated emission of
radiation.
• First demonstrated in 1960 by T.H. Maimam.
• Can be emitted by stimulated and spontaneous
emission.
• Can be demonstrated with gases, liquids, solid and
semiconductors.
History
▪ The concept of the laser emerged from Albert
Einstein's theory of stimulated emission of
electromagnetic radiation in 1917.
▪ In 1954, Charles H. Townes and Arthur L.
Schawlow theorized the principles of the maser
(microwave amplification by stimulated emission
of radiation).
▪ In 1958, physicist Gordon Gould introduced the
term "laser“.
▪ In 1960, Theodore H. Maiman constructed the
first working laser using a synthetic ruby crystal.
CHARACTERISTICS
1. Monochromacy
2. Coherence
3. Directionality
4. Intensity
5. Polarization
6. Low Divergence
7. High Intensity over Long Distances
8. Speed of Light
KEY DIFFERENCES
BETWEEN
ORDINARY LIGHT
AND LASERS
BASIS OF ORDINARY LIGHT LASER LIGHT
DIFFERENTIATION
DEFINITION A mixture of electromagnetic A type of light that is produced
radiations of different wavelengths is by the stimulated emission
called ordinary light. and has electromagnetic
waves of one wavelength is
called LASER light.
EMISSION Ordinary light involves a LASER light involves a
spontaneous emission of stimulated emission of
radiation. radiation.
CHROMACITY Ordinary light is polychromatic. LASER light is monochromatic
COHERENCE Ordinary light is an incoherent light, LASER light is a coherent light. That
i.e. the photons of the ordinary light is, its photons are in phase with each
are out of phase. other.
INTENSITY Intensity decreases as the light The intensity remains relatively same
travels further. over distance.
APPLICATIONS Ordinary light is used for LASER light has several applications
illumination of area. like metal cutting, welding, printing,
surgeries, fiber optics, optical
computing devices, etc.
SPONTANEOUS AND
STIMULATED EMISSION
SPONTANEOUS EMISSION
• Spontaneous emission is a quantum process where a system in a
higher energy state transitions to a lower energy state, emitting a
photon.
• It occurs without any external influence and is random in time and
direction.
• - The probability of spontaneous emission is inversely proportional to
the lifetime of the excited state.
• It is important in phenomena like the decay of excited states in atoms
and the operation of lasers.
Fig: Diagram of Spontaneous Emission
STIMULATED EMISSION
• Stimulated emission is a process where an excited quantum system emits a
photon when it interacts with another photon of the same frequency and phase.
• This process is called "stimulated" because the incoming photon stimulates the
emission of a second photon, which is identical in frequency, phase, polarization,
and direction.
• Stimulated emission is the basic principle for the operation of lasers, where it
leads to the amplification of light.
• In a laser, a population inversion is created, and when a photon passes through
the excited medium, it stimulates the emission of more photons, resulting in a
coherent beam of light.
Fig: Diagram of Stimulated Emission
POPULATION INVERSION
• occurs when more particles occupy higher energy states
than lower ones, contrary to typical thermal equilibrium.
• crucial for laser operation, enabling stimulated emission
to surpass absorption processes.
• Stimulated emission produces coherent and amplified
light output, defining laser characteristics.
• Achieving this often requires inputting energy into the
system, such as through optical or electrical means.
• Once established, the laser medium can sustain
stimulated emissions, resulting in laser beam generation.
PUMPING
PUMPING
• Process to achieve population inversion.
• Maintains a higher population of atoms in the upper energy
level relative to that in the lower level.
• System in which population inversion is achieved is active
system.
• Has types : Optical pumping
Chemical reactions
Electric Discharge
Direct Conversion
He-Ne LASER
WORKING MECHANISM
• Gas mixture of helium and neon is excited by electrical
discharge.
• Excited helium atoms transfer energy to neon atoms.
• Population inversion is achieved.
• Stimulated emission occurs when photons collide with
excited neon atoms.
• Optical cavity formed by mirrors amplifies specific
wavelengths.
• Continuous operation at 632.8 nanometers wavelength.
• Typically low-power for applications like laser pointers and
barcode scanners.
SEMI-CONDUCTOR DIODE
WORKING MECHANISM
• Semiconductor Structure: It comprises a semiconductor material with a p-n
junction.
• Carrier Injection: Applying a forward bias voltage injects electrons and holes
into the junction.
• Recombination: Electrons and holes recombine in the junction, emitting
photons.
• Optical Feedback: Photon bouncing between mirrored facets stimulates further
emission.
• Population Inversion: More carriers occupy higher energy states, essential for
stimulated emission dominance.
• Coherent Light Emission: Stimulated emission produces coherent light.
• Continuous Operation: It can operate continuously, emitting stable light.
• Applications: Used widely in telecommunications, optical storage, laser
pointers, etc., due to compactness and efficiency.
APPLICATIONS
LASER is used in various scientific applications
such as:
• To investigate the interaction of atoms and
molecules with electromagnetic wave of high
intensity.
• To calculate the distance between two objects
(either short or long distanced objects) and also
the velocity of an object
• To transmit signals in different communication
system.
• In isotope separation
APPLICATIONS
LASER is used in other various fields such as:
• Industry: Laser cutting, Laser printer, laser
wielding
• Medicine: Eye surgery(treatment of detached
retina), Treatment of dental decay, Destruction of
malignant tumors, for treatment of skin diseases.
• Space : Automatic control of rockets and satellites.
• Air pollution: To detect the size of dust particles.
• Biology: Study of internal structure of
microorganisms and cells
• Surgery: Destruction of kidney stones and
gallstones.
Conclusion
• The invention of laser has brought forth various changes in the
various field of the world.
• It has not only helped in scientific discoveries but also in the life of
normal people.
REFERENCE
▪ Fundamentals of Engineering Physics, B.R Pokhrel, B.K Bhattarai, M.D Paudel, Benchmark Education Pvt.
Ltd. 3rd Revised Edition.
▪ www.tutorialspoint.com
▪ https://www.explainthatstuff.com/semiconductorlaserdiodes.html
