CONTENTS
Introduction
Properties and Principle
Components of a laser
Types of Laser
Construction and working (Ruby laser)
Applications of laser
Advantage and Disadvantage
Conclusion and Reference
INTRODUCTION
Laser is one of the most fascinating
development in physics. “LASER” stands for
“Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission
of Radiation” .Laser is a device that emits light
which is highly directional,monochromatic and
coherent beam of high power density.
Laser was first built in 1960 by Theodore
H.Maiman.
PROPERTIES
• Monochromatic : Light is of one wavelength (colour).
• Directionality : The laser light is a narrow beam which
travels in a specific direction.
• Coherent : Laser light is highly coherent which means that
the light waves are in same phase.
• High intensity : Laser light is powerful and highly intense.
PRINCIPLE
The principle of laser is based on the
phenomenon of stimulated emission of
radiation.
Stimulated emission is the process by which an
incoming photon of a specific frequency can
interact with an excited atomic electron (E2). It
makes a transition to lower energy state (E1)
emitting additional photon of frequency (v). It generates an
intense beam of high coherence and extreme directivity.
The necessary condition for laser emission is
population inversion.This is the situation in which the
number of atoms in the higher state (N2) is greater
than that in the lower state (N1) .
N2 > N1
The process of achieving of population inversion is
called pumping. There are four different methods of
pumping :
1) Optical pumping
2) Excitation with the help of electrons
3) Inelastic collision between atoms
4) Excitation by chemical method
COMPONENTS OF A LASER
A basic laser system consists of the following main components :
1) The active or laser medium : This is either a collection of
atoms/molecules/ions of a solid,liquid,gas or a semiconductor
junction,capable of sustaining the stimulated emission.
2) An external source of excitation : This is the component
that supplies the pumping energy necessary to cause
population inversion between a pair of energy levels of the
atomic system under reference.
3) Optical resonator : In order to sustain laser oscillation,a
part of the output must be fed back into the system.Such a
positive feedback is brought about by placing the active
medium between a pair of plane parallel mirrors,forming a
resonant cavity.This arrangement is called optical resonator.
Component Function Examples
Acts as medium for Atomic or molecular
population inversion gases (Ne, Ar, CO2)
Gain Medium Determines laser emission Ions in crystals or
glasses (Nd, Er, Yb, Cr)
properties Semiconductors (GaAs,
InGaAsP)
Serves as energy source for Electric discharge,
inverting population Flashlamp or arc lamp,
Pump Source Other laser ,Electric
current
Provides feedback Bulk mirrors in solid-state
mechanism for laser.Cleaved or coated
Resonator amplification.Selects spectral facets in laser diode
and spatial properties of light Bragg reflectors in fiber
laser
TYPICAL LASERS
There are various types of laser are now being
used.They are mainly four types :
Solid dielectric laser
Gas laser
Semiconductor laser
Liquid laser
They emit red,blue, blue-green or invisible radiation
ranging from microwave to ultraviolet.Some produce
continuous waves,others are flashed or pulsed.
Typical lasers and their emission
wavelengths
Type Wavelength
1)Ruby laser 1) 694 nm
Solid laser 2)Nd : YaG 2)1064 nm
1)He-Ne 1) 633 nm
Gas laser 2)Argon (blue) 2) 488 nm
3)Argon (green) 3) 514 nm
4) CO2 laser 4) 10600 nm
Semiconductor 1) GaAs (830-850) nm
laser
Liquid laser 1)Dye laser (50-100) nm
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF
RUBY LASER
CONSTRUCTION
In ruby laser,a cylindrical ruby rod (Al2O3) is doped with 0.05 %
weight of chromium oxide.Ruby laser is involved in lasing.One
end of rod is fully silvered and other one partially silvered so
act as optical resonator. The rod is surrounded by gas tube
which in turn is surrounded by the helical flash lamp filled with
Xenon gas.
Working
When the flash lamp light will be flashed on the ruby rod the
chromium ions excited to higher energy states.After staying for
upto 10^-8 seconds, ions get transmitted to the metastable state.
Light of wavelength of 694.3 nm is repeatedly reflected from the
two silvered faces and in doing so travels over a considerable
distance increasing the probability of photons to interact with Cr
ions .Since beam incident normally to end faces can have
repeatedly reflection and about 1 % of this energies as laser
beam
APPLICATIONS OF LASER
Laser is used in industries for cutting fabrics for clothing in
one hand and steel sheets on the other.
Laser is used in medical field for spot welding of detached
retina,in grafting cornea,in drilling holes in bones,in
destroying cancerous areas within tissues and so on.
Laser is used in science and research experiments like in
Raman spectroscopy,Michelson’s interferometer etc.
Laser is used in military as weapons.
Laser beam is used to measure distances of celestial
objects like stars,moon,satellites very accurately.
It is used in communication like TV transmission, to search
objects under sea. It is used in optical fibre communication
because of large bandwidth,more bandwidth meaning more
amount of data can be sent.
It is used in photography, holography
It is used for welding.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF
LASER
ADVANTAGES
• It has high information carrying capacity and hence used in
communication domain.
• It is free from electromagnetic interference.
• It has very minimum signal leakage.
• Laser based fiber optic cables are very light.
• It is less damaging compared to X rays.
• Laser is being used in laser CDs and DVDs for data storage.
DISADVANTAGES
• It is expensive and hence more costly to the patients
requiring laser based treatments.
• It is costly to maintain.
• Increases complexity and duration of the treatment based on
laser devices or requirements.
• Laser beam is very delicate to handle in cutting
process.Slight mistake in adjustment may lead to
discolouring of the metals.
• Laser cannot be used in many commonly performed dental
procedures.
• Laser is often harmful to environment and also for human
health.
CONCLUSION
As a versatile source of energy in a highly
concentrated form ,laser has emerged as an attractive tool
and research instrument with potential for applications in an
extraordinary variety of research and industry fields. The
main reason for using laser lies in its monochromaticity
,coherence and low divergence.
Lasers is used for many applications in our day to day life
and has helped people in numerous ways.
REFERENCE
Modern optics by AB Gupta
Internet
Wikipedia
https://www.newport.com/n/critical-laser-components
https://www.rfwireless-
world.com/Terminology/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-
of-Laser.html
THANK YOU
