Knowra Gas laser Gas laser A gas laser uses an electrically or chemically excited gas as its light-amplifying medium. Its output wavelength and operating behavior depend on the gas mixture and excitation method.
Population inversion : A condition in which more particles occupy an excited energy state than a lower state, enabling net stimulated emission. Excitation must create this condition in the gas for laser amplification.
Helium–neon laser : A gas laser using a helium–neon mixture, commonly emitting visible red light at 632.8 nanometers. Its stable red output makes it a familiar gas-laser source for alignment and demonstrations.
Energy level : A discrete allowed energy value that an atom, molecule, or other quantum system can occupy. Transitions between gas-particle energy levels determine which laser wavelengths are possible.
Solid-state laser : A laser whose gain medium is a solid crystal or glass, often containing optically active ions. Unlike gas media, solid-state hosts are dense solids and are commonly pumped optically.
Electrical discharge : An electric current through a gas that produces energetic electrons, ions, and excited atoms or molecules. Many gas lasers use discharge electrons to excite their active species.
Carbon dioxide laser : A molecular gas laser that commonly emits infrared radiation near 10.6 micrometers. Its high power and strong absorption by many materials suit cutting and welding.
Spectral line : A narrow range of frequencies emitted or absorbed when a quantum system changes energy state. Gas lasers amplify frequencies associated with transitions in their atoms or molecules.
Semiconductor laser : A laser whose gain arises from electron–hole recombination in a semiconductor junction or structure. Its compact electrical pumping contrasts with the discharge tubes used by many gas lasers.
Stimulated emission : The process by which an excited particle emits a photon matching an incoming photon in frequency, phase, and direction. This interaction lets excited gas amplify light coherently.
Argon-ion laser : A gas laser in which ionized argon produces strong visible blue and green emission lines. Its visible wavelengths have served applications including spectroscopy and eye surgery.
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