Interactive simulations for science teaching
400 downloadable interactive simulations
Laser
- Summary
An energy level diagram show how atoms can be excited (moved to a higher level energy) or not excited (ground state level energy) . Absorbing or emitting a photon is a common way for an atom to gain or release energy. This emission can be "spontaneous" or "stimulated".
To make a Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) you have to "pump" energy up from an external source in order to excite a large number of the atoms in the active media, and so promote stimulated emission. You also need a resonant optical cavity in order to force the photons to increase the rate of stimulated emissions. A slightly transparent mirror lets a part of this monochromatic light escape.
- Learning objectives
- To distinguish spontaneous emission from stimulated emission.
- To illustrate some important features of the L.A.S.E.R.
- To show how matter can interact with light.
- How to use the animation
Click on "energy pump" to activate the external source.
- Student sheet
- You have to subscribe to view the student sheet
- Keywords
- LASER, spontaneous-emission, stimulated-emission, photon, absorption, beam, energy, energy-level-diagram, light, population-inversion
- Share your ideas with us!
- Share your ideas with us!