How lasers work
10,979
Published 2024-02-21
Contents
00:00 - Introduction
02:04 - Atomic processes
04:54 - Laser gain
06:43 - CW and Q-switching
09:14 - Population inversion
13:12 - Ruby, Neodymium
14:24 - HeNe
15:00 - Diode lasers
17:00 - Unconventional
18:27 - Free Electron
19:47 - LWI
20:33 - Summary
References
[1] “Raman spectroscopy has shed light on the structure of difficult to analyse sulphur-rich polymers”, Central Laser Facility
www.clf.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/Raman-spectroscopy-has-sh…
[2] 3D animation of the Rutherford atom (User: Damek)
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3D_anamation_of_th…
[3] Y. Diouf et al., “Numerical Study of Density Functional Theory of Multi-electronic Atoms: Case of Carbon and Helium”, American Journal of Nanomaterials 9, 12 (2021).
[4] Xenon Flashtube by Nathan Boor (User: NapoleonoftheNow)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Xenon_Flash_Wiki.ogv
[5] S. Hooker and C. E. Webb, “Laser Physics”, (OUP 2010). ISBN: 978-0198506928
[6] Black Marble 2016, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/details.cgi?aid=30878
[7] 3D cut of the LHC dipole, CERN, OPEN-PHO-ACCEL-2014-003-8
home.cern/resources/image/accelerators/lhc-images-…
[8] L. Yuan et al., “Transient lasing without inversion via forbidden and virtual transitions”, Physical Review A 89, 013814 (2014).
All Comments (21)
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Glad you're back at videos. One the the hidden gem physics channels
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You have an uncanny ability to explain very advanced concepts from the ground up without any egregious omissions or simplifications. This is probably the best explanation of lasers short of a university course. I kind of wish you mentioned stellasers tough. Such a powerful and surprisingly straight-forward concept.
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Damn, video was over way too soon. Truly riveting content and the fastest 20 minutes I spend this week. People from lab next door use lasers in Laser doppler anemometry and once gave me a tldr of how their lasers are used and it seemed fascinating. This does too, are you planning to shine more light on lasers in the future?
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This makes a good companion piece to Perun's last upload.
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Daaang I was just re-watching your fusion series last night, urging more vids. Really enjoy your realism on all these things. Thanks!
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It took me a while to reach this basic level of understanding of how lasing works, I would have understood it much better and quicker with this video, and in just 20 minutes! Great job! The salsa background music was also a random phenomena that was totally unexpected
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Thank you very much. Gaining a better idea of how lasing works has always been a to-do for me, and seeing this video in my feed has given me the perfect chance. Now I want to build my own ruby laser.
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2:30 "... the photons need to have almost exactly the energy..." Why almost? I've always understood it has to be exactly the energy between the states, do you mean almost as in the confines of the uncertainty principle or something else?
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Your channel is so valuable for learning about physics and technology, thank you so much for all your hard work!
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Out of High school in mid 70's I got a job that made helium gas Lasers. Cool to watch the glass guy do his thing. Their main product was Laser marking machines for engraving and other low watt stuff. They had the flash lamp YAG lasers in it with Q switch. I think the company's name was Control Laser out of Florida. They sent a lot of their product to Sandia Labs in N.M.
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👍 Admirable primer, as always! Keep them coming!
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13:21 😊 , nice 5th element reference
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As a laser enthusiast, this video was pure bliss. Thank you for making this.
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I've been in laser manufacturing course for 6 months and I still learnt so much.
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I am very happy I have found this channel, great content, much appreciated.
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I was in a ground state until this video hit me )
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What an exceptional video. Thank you!
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more videos and the end of the work week? sounds like heaven
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Brilliant video. Going to build simulated lasers in a video game
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This is one of my favorite science channels. Thank you for making this content for us all to enjoy <3
