Laser Beam Distribution Method
Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (laser) light is radiation that is highly focused and directed for a specific task. There are several methods for generating and distributing laser light.
Other People Are Reading
-
Stimulation
-
Energy is applied to excite the atoms of the gain medium to generate laser light. Laser light is produced by stimulating the gain medium with energy. The gain medium can be a liquid, solid crystal or gas that has carefully controlled chemical properties. Energy in the form of an electrical discharge or flash of light is applied to the gain medium, which excites the atoms inside. The energy applied in this manner to the gain medium causes it to radiate light energy. The light is reflected back and forth between mirrors placed at each and of the gain medium. This further excites the atoms in the gain medium and amplifies the light emitted by it.
Pumping
-
Applying energy to the gain medium inside a laser is referred to as pumping. The energy that excites the impurities inside the gas of an argon or neon laser is often an electrical discharge. Solid state lasers use xenon flash lamps to stimulate the emission of laser energy. The laser energy emitted from the gain medium is reflected between two mirrors. The mirror in the back of the device is completely silvered while the mirror in the front has an aperture to allow the coherent beam of light to escape.
-
Focusing
-
Laser light is focused by lenses to change its properties. The laser light emitted from the reflector mirror aperture is distributed to lenses that focus and amplify the beam. Different lenses can be used to achieve a laser beam with the desired characteristics. The beam can be focused to achieve an intense point of heat, as is used in cutting lasers. It can also be focused to project a coherent beam of laser light across long distances. A laser of this type can be used for measuring distance between points that are far apart, such as the Earth and the Moon.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images Kim Steele/Photodisc/Getty Images Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
