Exploring LASER Fundamentals

What are the basic properties of a LASER beam?

• Polarization, dispersion, wavelength, and amplitude.

• Coherence, monochromaticity, directionality, and intensity.

• Reflection, refraction, diffraction, and absorption.

• Brightness, color, speed, and frequency.

How does radiation interact with matter?

• Radiation only reflects off matter.

• Radiation has no effect on matter.

• Radiation can only be transmitted without interaction.

• Radiation interacts with matter through absorption, scattering, and transmission.

Define Einstein’s A and B coefficients.

• A coefficient: spontaneous emission rate; B coefficient: stimulated emission rate.

• A coefficient: energy absorption rate; B coefficient: energy loss rate.

• A coefficient: photon emission rate; B coefficient: photon absorption rate.

• A coefficient: thermal emission rate; B coefficient: quantum emission rate.

Explain the concept of laser action.

• Laser action is the reflection of light off a surface to enhance brightness.

• Laser action is the process of stimulated emission of radiation that produces coherent and monochromatic light.

• Laser action is the process of spontaneous emission of radiation that produces random light.

• Laser action involves the absorption of light to create thermal energy.

What is population inversion and why is it important?

• Population inversion is essential for laser operation, enabling stimulated emission and light amplification.

• Population inversion occurs when there are more atoms in the ground state than in the excited state.

• Population inversion is the process of reducing energy levels in atoms.

• Population inversion is a method used to cool down gases in lasers.

Describe the metastable state in laser systems.

• A metastable state is a short-lived excited state that quickly returns to the ground state.

• A metastable state is a stable ground state that does not contribute to laser action.

• A metastable state is irrelevant to the process of population inversion in lasers.

• A metastable state in laser systems is a long-lived excited state that enables population inversion necessary for laser operation.

List the requisites of a laser system.

• Lenses, mirrors, optical amplifier, frequency modulator

• Reflective surface, cooling system, light filter, energy source

• Gain medium, pump source, resonator cavity, output coupler

• Optical fiber, laser diode, beam splitter, power supply

How do the properties of a LASER beam affect its applications?

• LASER beams can only be used in photography.

• The properties of a LASER beam, including coherence, monochromaticity, directionality, and high intensity, enable precise applications in cutting, medical procedures, and communication technologies.

• The properties of a LASER beam are irrelevant to its applications.

• LASER beams are only used for entertainment purposes.