Laser Technology
Course No. PHOE10 B.Tech : 7 th Semester
Course No. MPH2E41
Dr. Prakash Chand
Department of Physics
National Institute of Technology
Kurukshetra– 136119, India 1
Syllabus
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History of lasers
1917: Albert Einstein developed the theoretical concept of photons &
stimulated emission.
1954: Charles Townes & Arthur Schawlow built the first MASER using
ammonia and microwave energy
1960: Thomas Maiman produced the first laser using a synthetic ruby rod
1960: Dr. Ali Javan-first continuous laser (He-Ne 632.6 nm red gas ion laser.
1960s: Dr. Leon Goldman: Father of Laser Medicine & Surgery-usage of
laser in medical practice
1962: Bennett et al: blue-green argon laser (retinal surgery) • 1964: Kumar
Patel: CO2 laser
1964: Nd:YAG laser
1969: Dye laser
1975: Excimer laser (noble gas-halide) 4
LASER
The word laser is an acronym that stands for “light
amplification by the stimulated emission of
radiation”. (Acronym coined by Gordon Gould)
The most important optical device to be developed in
the past 60 years.
Invented in 1958 by Charles Townes and Arthur
Schawlow of Bell laboratories.
Based on the Einstein's idea of the wave-particle
duality of light.
Lasers are essentially highly directional, highly
intense, highly monochromatic and highly coherent
optical sources.
Stimulated emission was postulated by Einstein as
early as in 1917.
Laser light is highly powerful and it is capable of
propagating over long distances and it is not easily
absorbed by water.
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LASER:
“Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation”
MASER (1939 Towner) “Microwave Amplification
by Stimulated Emission of Radiation”
Stimulated Emission - Einstein in 1917.
Ruby Crystal LASER : Maiman, California in 1960.
He-Ne LASER: Ali Javan in 1961.
Diode LASER: Hall in 1962. 6
Difference Between Ordinary and Laser Light
Ordinary Light Laser Light
1. Many wavelengths 1. Monochromatic
2. Multidirectional 2. Directional
3. Incoherent 3. Coherent
4. Less intense 4. Highly intense
5. Angular spread is more 5. Angular spread is less
6. Example: Sun light, 6. He- Ne Laser, CO2
Mercury vapor lamp laser
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Einstein’s Quantum Theory of Radiation
According to Einstein, there are three possible ways through which interaction of radiation and
matter can take place:
1. Induced Absorption or Stimulated Absorption or Absorption.
2. Spontaneous Emission
3. Stimulated emission
The term “light” is generally accepted to be electromagnetic radiation ranging
from 1 nm to 1000 mm in wavelength. The visible spectrum ranges from
approximately 400 to 700 nm. The wavelength range from 700 nm to 10 mm is
considered the near infrared (NIR), and anything beyond that is the far infrared
(FIR). Conversely, 200 to 400 nm is called ultraviolet (UV); below 200 nm is the
deep ultraviolet (DUV).
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Electromagnetic Spectrum
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LASER SPECTRUM
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Induced absorption (stimulated absorption)
The process in which an atom sized system in lower energy state is raised in to higher
energy state by electromagnetic radiation which is quanta of energy is equal to the difference
of energy of the two states is called stimulated absorption.
Or
The process of exciting the atom to higher energy level by absorbing the stimulating
incident photon is known as stimulated absorption of radiation.
i.e., hν = E2-E1
Let the atom is in the lower energy state (E1).
Now, a photon of energy (E1 - E2) is incident on the atom at lower energy state.
Photon gives its energy to the atom and disappeared.
Then we can say that atom absorbed the incident photon.
Due to sufficient absorption of energy by the atom, the atom jumps to the exited state (E2)
from lower energy state (E1). This is called absorption process and corresponding transition
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called Absorption Transition.
So we can expressed the equation for absorption process
A + hν = A*
Where, hν - incident photon energy
A - An atom in lower energy state (E1)
A* - An atom in excited state (E2)
Rate of absorption transition (R12) occur is proportional to the incident photon
density ρ(ν) and number of atom are in lower energy state (E1) at Δt.
R12 = B12N1 ρ(ν) Δt
R12 - Rate of absorption transition
N1 - Number of atoms in lower energy state.
ρ(ν) - Incident photon density.
B12 - Constant of proportionality; known as Einstein coefficient for induced
absorption.
Δt - Time duration for absorption (excitation) process.
Here, N1 is the population (more numbers of atoms) of atom at E1, when more number of
atoms are at lower energy state(E1), then more atoms may jump into excited state (E2).
Further, when more photons are incident on the system, then more atoms may get excited to
the higher energy level. Normally, number of atoms in higher energy state (N2) can’t be
greater than number of atoms in lower energy state (N1). But, induce absorption involves
the excitation of atom to the definite higher energy level (hν = ΔE). As a result,
N1 decreases and N2 increases.
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Spontaneous Emission
In the atom initially at upper state E2, it can brought to E1 by emitting photon of energy hν.
This is known as spontaneous emission. Or
The transition of an excited atom by itself to lower energy level is known as spontaneous
emission of radiation.
After the completion of the absorption process (transition), the atom in the excited state
(E2) can’t stay in the excited state for a relative long time.
The time of about 10-8 sec, the atom returns to the lower energy state (E1) by releasing the
photon of energy which was gained during absorption process. i.e. hν = E2 - E1
The emission of photon occurs on itself and without any external energy (force) to the
excited atom. Hence, emission of photon by an atom without any external energy is called
spontaneous emission.
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Expression for spontaneous process as
A* → A + hν
Due to absence of external energy; the rate of spontaneous (R21) occurs depends upon the
properties of energy states E2 and E1 only.
It is independent of photon density.
R21 = A21 N2 Δt
N2- Number of atoms in excited state (E2)
A21- Constant of probability; Einstein coefficient for spontaneous emission.
Δt - Time duration for spontaneous transition.
It is a process of spontaneous emission that dominates (have a very strong influence over)
in conventional light source.
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Stimulated Emission
According to Einstein's, under certain condition it is possible to force an excited atom emit a
photon by another photon and the incident light wave must be in same phase .hence we get an
enhance beam of coherent light.
or
The excited atom after getting stimulated by the incident photon transits to lower energy level
by emitting photons is known as stimulated emission of radiation.
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Let an atom in the excited state interact with a photon (external radiation) with energy hν
= E2 - E1, an external photon induces (bring out) the excited atom to make a downward
transition. But such downward transition well before the atom can make a spontaneous
transition.
The atom emits the excess energy in the form of a photon; hν = E2 - E1 as it drops to lower
energy state. Phenomenon of force photon emission by an external atom due to the role of
external agency is called stimulated emission. The stimulated emission process may be
expressed:
A* + hν (external) → A + 2hν
Rate of stimulated transition is proportional to external incident photon density ρ(ν) and
the number of atom at energy level E2 at Δt
R21 = B21 ρ(ν) N2 Δt
N2- Number of atoms in excited state (E2)
ρ(ν) - Incident photon density.
B21 - Constant of probability; known as Einstein coefficient for stimulated
emission.
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Amplification by stimulated emission
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Basic concepts of Laser Action
Absorption: Atoms in the lower energy state absorb energy from the incident
photon and moves to the higher energy state. Probability of absorption depends
on:
Number of atoms present in the lower energy state.
Intensity of incident light.
Spontaneous Emission: Atoms in higher energy state jumps to the lower
energy state with emission of a photon at random (i.e. without influence from a
photon) Probability of Spontaneous emission depends on:
Number of atoms available in the excited state.
Stimulated Emission: Atoms in the excited state jumping to the lower state
under the influence of another photon emit a photon of the same frequency as
the incident photon. Probability of Stimulated emission depends on:
Number of atoms available in the excited state
Intensity of the incident light
The direction of propagation of energy, phase and state of polarization of
energy of the emitted photon is exactly the same as those of the stimulating
photon. Thus photons are coherent. 19
Working principle of a laser
Based on phenomenon of stimulated emission and spontaneous emission
Active medium should have one metastable state besides excited state and
ground state.
The lifetime of atoms in excited state is 10^-8 sec but it is longer in
metastable state.
When atoms are excited with light of suitable wavelength, they jump from
lower energy state to excited state by absorbing photons.
But atoms can remain in excited state only for a small amount of time and
they drop back by spontaneous emission.
Many of them are trapped in the metastable state where its lifetime is
greater and population inversion is obtained.
After getting population inversion, a photon got from spontaneous
emission is made to strike an atom of the metastable state.
The excited atom of metastable state is stimulated to emit a photon of the
same energy as that of the stimulating photon.
The stimulating and stimulated photons yield a large number of coherent
photons by repeated stimulated emissions as they pass through the atom.
Hence light amplification occurs due to multiplication of photons all of
which have same frequency, direction and phase. 20
Working principle of a Laser
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Distinguish between spontaneous and stimulated emission.
S. Spontaneous emission Stimulated emission
No.
The atom in the excited state returns An atom in the excited state is induced
1. to ground state thereby emitting a to return to ground state thereby
photon, without any external resulting in two photons of same
inducement is called as spontaneous frequency and energy of same
emission. frequency and energy is called as
The emitted photons can move Stimulated emission.
2. randomly. The emitted photons move in same
3. The radiation given out is of less direction and are highly directional.
intense and is incoherent. The radiation is highly intense,
4.
The photons are not in phase monochromatic and coherent.
The photons are inphase.
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Lasers differ only in terms of Active medium or Excitation process. 23
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Two Necessary Conditions for Stimulated Emission
1. Metastable State: Energy levels where life time of atoms is of order 10-3 to 10-2
second.
2. Powerful source of energy
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Population Inversion
Population Inversion: State of achieving more number of atoms in the exited state
compared to ground state. [N2 > N1].
It is the process of increasing exited electrons in higher energy levels.
Due to this process the production of laser is possible.
The energy level between the ground state E1 (1st level) and exited state E3 (3rd level) is
known as metastable state E2 (2nd level).
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At thermal equilibrium, the relative population of any two energy levels is given by
where N2 and N1 are the populations of the upper and lower energy states, respectively,
T is the equilibrium temperature, and k is Boltzmann’s constant. 29
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Einstein Coefficients
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Lasers based on number of energy levels
Three Level Laser A schematic energy level diagram of a laser with three
energy levels is the figure below. The two energy levels between which
lasing occur are: the lower laser energy level (E1), and the upper laser
energy level (E2).
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No lasing action in two level system: no population
inversion.
Three level system: lasing possible but require high
pump energy than four level system.
Example: Ruby Laser (three level).
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Lasers based on number of energy levels
Four Level Laser The schematic energy level diagram of a four level
laser is shown in the figure below. Compared to the equivalent
diagram of a three level laser, there is an extra energy level above
the ground state. This extra energy level has a very short lifetime.
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Number of thermally excited ions in the lower laser level is small
Easy to achieve population inversion even by pumping a
relatively small number of ions into the upper laser level
Lower threshold compared to a three-level system
Example: Nd: YAG Laser, CO2 laser.
The pumping operation of a four level laser is similar to the pumping of a three
level laser. This is done by a rapid population of the upper laser level (E3), through
the higher energy level (E4). To create population inversion, there is no need to
pump more than 50% of the atoms to the upper laser level.
Advantages of four level lasers Compared to three level
lasers:
The lasing threshold of a four level laser is lower.
The efficiency is higher.
Required pumping rate is lower.
Continuous operation is possible.
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The process of exciting the atoms of the active medium to a
higher energy state from their lower energy state by
supplying energy in relevant form is called pumping.
Name the different methods of pumping?
(i) Optical pumping
(ii) Electric discharge (Direct electron excitation)
(iii) Inelastic atom-atom collision
(iv) Direct conversion
(v) Chemical process
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What are the characteristics of laser light?
Characteristics or Properties of Laser Light
(i) high monochromaticity (i.e. highly single wavelength)
(ii) high degree of coherence
(iii) high directionality (i.e. less divergence) and
(iv) high brightness
Laser light is highly powerful and it is capable of
propagating over long distances and it is not easily
absorbed by water.
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Monochromaticity Highly monochromatic radiation.
Intensity Laser beams are highly intense as a large number of
photons are concentrated in a small region.
Coherence Perfectly coherent as the emitted light waves has the
same phase with one another.
Directionality Travels in a single direction as the photons are
traveling along the optical axis of the system.
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What are the roles played by N2 and He in CO2 laser?
During electric discharge N2 molecules get excited and by collision
transfer the energy to CO2 molecules and result in efficient excitation
of CO2 molecules. Addition of He to the gas mixture enhances the
efficiency by depopulating lower laser level. The role of He is to
facilitate the removal of decayed molecules from their lower energy
level to ground level after lasing process, in order to maintain the
population inversion.
The advantages of Gas laser over Solid state laser
The light from He-Ne gas laser has high degree of monochromacity
and directionality than that from solid state ruby laser. This happens
due to imperfection in the crystal, thermal distortion and scattering.
The solid state laser need cooling in time of operation while the gas
lasers can operate continuously without any cooling. 59
Distinguish between spontaneous and stimulated emission.
S. Spontaneous emission Stimulated emission
No.
The atom in the excited state returns An atom in the excited state is induced
1. to ground state thereby emitting a to return to ground state thereby
photon, without any external resulting in two photons of same
inducement is called as spontaneous frequency and energy of same
emission. frequency and energy is called as
The emitted photons can move Stimulated emission.
2. randomly. The emitted photons move in same
3. The radiation given out is of less direction and are highly directional.
intense and is incoherent. The radiation is highly intense,
4.
The photons are not in phase monochromatic and coherent.
The photons are inphase.
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Solid State Laser
For historical reasons, solid-state lasers are lasers in which active ions
in crystal or glass host materials are optically pumped to create a
population inversion.
Requirements for Host material :
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Representative Solid State Laser
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Ruby Laser
Solid state laser consisting of a pink ruby cylindrical rod whose ends are
optically flat and parallel with a silvered and a partially silvered (50%) end.
The rod is surrounded by a high intensity helical flash lamp filled with xenon
gas which is intense enough to produce population inversion. Composition of
Ruby: Crystalline aluminium oxide (Al2O3 or host crystal) doped with 0.05%
of chromium atoms (activator atoms). Al3+ ions are replaced by Cr3+ions in
crystal lattice. Cr3+ ions impart red colour to the white Al2O3 crystal.
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Working:
Chromium atoms consist of a metastable state of lifetime ~3 X 10-3 sec. When
a flash of light of wavelength 550nm falls upon the rod for a very short time
(about a millisecond), the chromium ion, in the ground state, absorbs a photon
and jumps to excited state E2. The excited ions drop to the metastable state
E3 very soon as lifetime of ions in excited state is short. The transition is non
radiative as the energy released is absorbed by the lattice in which it is
absorbed and is dissipated as heat. But the number of atoms in metastable state
goes on increasing as lifetime in metastable state is high and soon exceeds
those in the ground state, thus bringing about population inversion.
After this state is achieved, one or two photons released due to spontaneous
emission is sufficient to induce stimulated emission and light amplification will
start. The transition from M à G state radiates photons, which after repeated
reflection from the mirrors of the laser cavity amplifies largely to an intense
beam.
An intense, highly directional, coherent beam of red light (λ = 694.3 nm)
emerges from the partially silvered end of the ruby rod as laser beam.
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Nd: YAG Laser
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THANK YOU
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