TODAYS CHAPTER:

LASER

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LASER
A laser is an amplifier of light. When the
laser is suitably excited by optical or electrical energy, the light of the proper frequency entering the laser cavity is amplified in such a manner that laser output wave is in phase with input. Practical utility of a laser is as an OSCILLATOR -- a generator of light. Thus laser is also known MANDEEP KAUR, as GENERATOR of Made by Mrs 3 11jan 2009 NWIET, DHUDIKE light.

LASER ACTION
Laser action is based on amplification of EM waves by means

of forced or induced atoms or molecules. A laser radiation uses three fundamental phenomena when EM waves interacts with the matter namely
Laser interaction Spontaneous emission Stimulated emission Spontaneous absorption

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Excited atoms emit photons spontaneously.

When an atom in an excited state falls to a lower energy level, it emits a photon of light.

Excited level Energy

Ground level Molecules typically remain excited for no longer than a few nanoseconds. This is often also called fluorescence or, when it takes longer, phosphorescence.

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Atoms and molecules can also absorb photons, making a transition from a lower level to a more excited one.
Excited level

Energy

This is, of course, absorption.

Ground level

Absorption lines in an otherwise continuous light spectrum due to a cold atomic gas in front of a hot source.
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Spontaneous absorption
Let us consider two energy

level having energy E1 & E2 resp. The atom will remain in photon ground state unless some external stimulant is applied to it. When an EM wave i.e photon of particular freq fall on it , there is finite probability that atom will jump form energy state E1 to E2. Made by Mrs MANDEEP KAUR,
NWIET, DHUDIKE

E2

E1

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Spontaneous emission
Consider an atom in higher

state (E2). It can decay to lower energy level by emitting photon. Emitted photon have energy hv=E2-E1. Life time of excited state is 10-9sec.
E2 Photon hv=E2-E1

E1

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Stimulated emission
There are metastable state

i.e. transition from this state is not allowed acc to selection rule. There life time is 10-3 sec. Atom in this state cant jump to lower state at there own. When an photon of suitable freq arrive it make the atom in metastable unstable. The emitted photon is in coherence with incident photon.
Metastable state(10-3sec)

Incident photon

Emitted Photon coherent

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Stimulated Emission
The stimulated photons have unique properties: In phase with the incident photon Same wavelength as the incident photon

Travel in same direction as incident photon Made by Mrs MANDEEP KAUR,

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Stimulated vs Spontaneous Emission

Stimulated emission requires the presence of a photon. An incoming photon stimulates a molecule in an excited state to decay to the ground state by emitting a photon. The stimulated photons travel in the same direction as the incoming photon.

Spontaneous emission does not require the presence of a photon. Instead a molecule in the excited state can relax to the ground state by spontaneously emitting a photon. Spontaneously emitted photons are emitted in all directions.

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another process, stimulated emission, can occur.

Spontaneous emission Before After

Absorption

Stimulated emission
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The processes that account for absorption and emission of radiation and the attainment of thermal equilibrium. The excited state can return to the lower state spontaneously as well as by a process stimulated by radiation already present at the transition frequency.
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In 1916, Einstein showed that another process, stimulated emission, can occur.
Before After
Spontaneous emission

Absorption

Stimulated emission
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EINSTEINS THEORY OF RADIATIONS

E2 Incident photon Spontaneous emission

Stimulated emission E1

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EINSTEINS THEORY OF RADIATIONS

Ra=rate of absorption per unit volume It depends upon:
1.N1: no. of atom in ground state. 2.(v): energy density per unit freq of incident wave.

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EINSTEINS THEORY OF RADIATIONS

Rsp=rate of emission per unit
volume. It depends upon: 1.N2: no. of atom in exicited state.

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EINSTEINS THEORY OF RADIATIONS

Rst= rate of stimulated emission per unit
volume It depends upon: 1.N2: no. of atom in exicited state. 2.(v): energy density per unit freq of incident wave.

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Properties of Laser
Monochromatic The light emitted from a laser is monochromatic, that is, it is of one wavelength (color). In contrast, ordinary white light is a combination of many different wavelengths (colors).

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Properties of Laser
Directional:
Lasers emit light that is
highly directional. Laser light is emitted as a relatively narrow beam in a specific direction. Ordinary light, such as coming from the sun, a light bulb, or a candle, is emitted in many directions away from the source.

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Properties of Laser
Coherent
The light from a
laser is said to be coherent, which means the wavelengths of the laser light are in phase in space and time.
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Population Inversion
A state in which a substance has been energized, or
excited to specific energy levels. More atoms or molecules are in a higher excited state.

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Population Inversion
The process of producing a population
inversion is called pumping. Examples: by lamps of appropriate intensity by electrical discharge

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Achieving inversion: Pumping the laser medium

Now let I be the intensity of (flash lamp) light used to pump energy into the laser medium:

I I0 I1
Laser medium

R = 100%

I3

I2

R < 100%

Will this intensity be sufficient to achieve inversion, N2 > N1? Itll depend on the laser mediums energy level system.
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In what energy levels do molecules reside? Boltzmann population factors

Ni is the number density of molecules in state i (i.e., the number of molecules per cm3). T is the temperature, and kB is Boltzmanns constant.

E3

N3

Ni exp Ei / kBT

Energy

E2

N2

E1
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N1
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Boltzmann Population Factors

In the absence of collisions, molecules tend to remain in the lowest energy state available. Low T Energy
3 2 1

Collisions can knock a molecule into a higher-energy state. The higher the temperature, the more this happens. High T Energy

N 2 exp E2 / k BT N1 exp E1 / k BT
Molecules

3 2 1

Molecules

In equilibrium, the ratio of the populations of two states is:

where DE =26

N2 / N1 = exp(DE/kKAUR,), BT 11jan 2009 Made by Mrs MANDEEP NWIET, DHUDIKE E2 E1 = hn

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Components of LASER

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Pump Source
A pump is basic energy source for a laser. It gives
energy to various atoms of laser medium & excites them . So that population inversion can take place & it is maintained with time. The excitation of atom occur directly or through atom or atom collision.

There is various type of pump depending upon

nature of medium .Examples: electric discharges, flashlamps, arc lamps and chemical reactions. The type of pump source used depends on the gain medium. A helium-neon (HeNe) laser uses an electrical discharge in the helium-neon gas mixture. Excimer lasers use Mrschemical reaction. Made by a MANDEEP KAUR,
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Gain Medium

When energy is given to laser medium a

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small fraction of medium shows lasing action. This part of laser medium is called Active centers. For examples in ruby laser Cr+++ is active center, in He-Ne laser Ne are active centers. It is the Major determining factor of the wavelength of operation of the laser. Excited by the pump source to produce a population inversion. Where spontaneous and stimulated emission of photons takes place. Example: solid, liquid, gas and MANDEEP KAUR, semiconductor. Made by Mrs 37
NWIET, DHUDIKE

Optical Resonator
It is an set up used to obtain amplification of
stimulated photons, by oscillating them back & forth between two extreme limits. Consist of:

1.Two plane or concave mirrors placed co-axially. 2.One mirror is reflecting & other is partially
reflecting.

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Optical Resonator
Two parallel mirrors placed around the gain

medium. Light is reflected by the mirrors back into the medium and is amplified . The design and alignment of the mirrors with respect to the medium is crucial. Spinning mirrors, modulators, filters and absorbers may be added to produce a variety of effects on the laser output.

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to a chain reaction and laser emission.

If a medium has many excited molecules, one photon can become many. Excited medium

This is the essence of the laser. The factor by which an input beam is amplified by a medium is called the gain and is represented by G.
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Requirements for Laser Action

fast Metastable state efficient pumping slow relaxation slow Population inversion

Fast relaxation

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Four-level Laser System

Laser transition takes
place between the third and second excited states.

Rapid depopulation of
the lower laser level.
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FOUR LEVEL LASER:

STEP 1- PUMPING: atoms are excited to
higher energy level by providing energy from ext. source. STEP 2- POPULATION INVERSION: atom via radiation less decay, decays to metastable state and hence population inversion take place.

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FOUR LEVEL LASER:

STEP 3- LASER ACTION: atom from
metastable state decays to lower state by stimulated emission and hence laser action take place. STEP 4- BACK TO GROUND STATE: atom from excited state decays to lower state by spontaneous emission.

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FOUR LEVEL LASER:

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Three-level Laser System

Initially excited to a
short-lived high-energy state . Then quickly decay to the intermediate metastable level. Population inversion is created between lower ground state and a higher-energy metastable state.
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Three-level Laser System

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Two-level Laser System

Unimaginable
as absorption and stimulated processes neutralize one another.

The material becomes transparent.

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Two-Level System
E m , Nm E m , Nm

En, Nn

En, Nn

Even with very a intense pump source, the best one can achieve with a twolevel system is excited state population = ground state population
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The Laser
A laser is a medium that stores energy, surrounded by two mirrors. A partially reflecting output mirror lets some light out.

I0 I3
Laser medium with gain, G

I1 I2

R = 100%

R < 100%

A laser will lase if the beam increases in intensity during a round trip: that is, if I I
3 0

Usually, additional losses in intensity occur, such as absorption, scat-tering, and reflections. In general, the laser will lase if, in a round trip: Gain > Loss
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This called achieving Threshold.

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Laser Types
According to the active material:
solid-state, liquid, gas, excimer or semiconductor lasers.

According to the wavelength:

infra-red, visible, ultra-violet (UV) or x-ray lasers.
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Laser Types
According to the nature of pumping.
flash type, chemical pumping & electric discharge lasers According to the nature of output: pulsed & continuous wave lasers.

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s.n o 1

Name of laser

wavelenght

Active Nature medium of o/p solid pulsed

Spectral region visible

Ruby laser 6943

CO2 laser

10.6 m gas

Contin- Infra red ous pulsed visible

He-Ne laser Nd : YAG laser

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6328

gas

1.06 m solid
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pulsed

Infra red
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Continuous vs Pulsed Lasers

Pump Source : Excitation of the lasing atoms or molecules by an external source of light (such as a lamp) or another laser The output of the laser light can be a continuous wave (cw) if the pumping is continuous or pulsed if the pumping is pulsed. Pulsed lasers have very high peak intensities because the laser intensity is concentrated in a very short time duration.

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Solid-state Laser
Example: Ruby Laser Operation wavelength: 694.3 nm (IR) 3 level system: absorbs green/blue
Gain Medium: crystal of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) with small part of atoms of aluminum is replaced with Cr3+ ions. Pump source: flash lamp The ends of ruby rod serve as laser mirrors.
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How a laser works?

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RUBY LASER

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1. High-voltage electricity causes the quartz flash tube to emit an intense burst of light, exciting some of Cr3+ in the ruby crystal to higher energy levels.

2. At a specific energy level, some Cr3+ emit photons. At first the photons are emitted in all directions. Photons from one Cr3+ stimulate emission of photons from other Cr3+ and the light intensity is rapidly amplified.
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3. Mirrors at each end reflect the photons back and forth, continuing this process of stimulated emission and amplification.

4. The photons leave through the partially silvered mirror at one end. This is laser light.

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 As the flash lamp stop operting, the

population of the upper level decreases very rapidally & lasing action stops till the further operation of next flash. As the production of laser beam depends upon the operation of flash lamp the ruby laser is pulsed type laser.

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 During the period of operation of two

flash laser output is oscillating & output is highly irregular function of time, shows random fluctuations in the amplitude. This type of output is called as laser SPIKING.

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He-NE LASER
A helium-neon laser, usually called a HeNe
laser, is a type of small gas laser. HeNe lasers have many industrial and scientific uses, and are often used in laboratory demonstrations of optics. Its usual operation wavelength is 632.8 nm, in the red portion of the visible spectrum

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He-Ne laser
He-Ne lasers are
normally small, with cavity lengths of around 15 cm up to 0.5 m. The optical cavity of the laser typically consists of a plane, high-reflecting mirror at one end of the laser tube, and a concave output coupler mirror of approximately 1% transmission at the other end. Electric discharge pumping is used. Optical output powers ranging from 1 mW to 100 Made by Mrs MANDEEP KAUR, mW.2009 11jan NWIET, DHUDIKE

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Electron impact

Radiation less decay

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CARBON DIOXIDE
Carbon dioxide lasers are the highest-power continuous wave lasers that are currently available. They are also quite efficient: the ratio of output power to pump power can be as large as 20%. The CO2 laser produces a beam of infrared light with the principal wavelength bands centering around 9.4 and 10.6 micrometers.

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Semiconductor laser
Lasers which use semiconductor as active medium. The majority of semiconductor materials are based on a combination of elements in the third group of the Periodic Table (such as Al, Ga, In) and the fifth group (such as N, P, As, Sb) hence referred to as the III-V compounds.

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P- and N-type Semiconductors

In the compound GaAs, each gallium atom has three electrons in its
outermost shell of electrons and each arsenic atom has five. When a trace of an impurity element with two outer electrons, such as zinc, is added to the crystal. The result is the shortage of one electron from one of the pairs, causing an imbalance in which there is a hole for an electron but there is no electron available. This forms a p-type semiconductor. selenium, is added to a crystal of GaAs, it provides on additional electron which is not needed for the bonding. This electron can be free to move through the crystal. Thus, it provides a mechanism for electrical conductivity. This type is called an n-type semiconductor.

When a trace of an impurity element with six outer electrons, such as

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Under forward bias (the ptype side is made positive) the majority carriers, electrons in the n-side, holes in the p-side, are injected across the depletion region in both directions to create a population inversion in a narrow active region. The light produced by radioactive recombination across the band gap is confined in this active region
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Components of LASER
is basic energy 1. PUMP. A pumpto various atomssource for a laser.&It gives energy of laser medium excites them . So that population inversion can 2. ACTIVE MEDIUM.with time. The excitation take place & it is maintained of atomoccur When energy is given to or atom collision. directly or through atom laser medium a small 3. OPTICAL There is various typeshows lasing action. This nature RESONATOR. fraction of medium of pump depending upon
It is an set up used to obtain amplification of stimulated photons, part of laser medium is called Active centers. of medium & in ruby laser Cr+++ extreme limits. by oscillating For examples forth between twois active center, them back Consist of: in He-Ne laser Ne are active centers. 1. Two plane or concave mirrors placed co-axially.

2. One mirror is reflecting & other is partially reflecting.

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