Abstract
In Chapter 4 we studied the interaction of radiation with matter and found that under the action of radiation of proper frequencies, the atomic populations of various energy levels change. In this chapter, we will be studying the rate equations which govern the rate at which populations of various energy levels change under the action of the pump and in the presence of laser radiation. The rate equations approach provides a convenient means of studying the time dependence of the atomic populations of various levels in the presence of radiation at frequencies corresponding to the different transitions of the atom.
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Notes
- 1.
In a non-radiative transitions when the atom de-excites, the energy is transferred to the translational, vibrational or rotational energies of the surrounding atoms or molecules.
- 2.
A similar analysis can also be performed for a three-level laser system but the general conclusions of this simple analysis remain valid.
- 3.
In an actual laser system, the ultimate purity of the output beam is restricted due to mechanical vibrations of the laser, mirrors, temperature fluctuations, etc.
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Thyagarajan, K., Ghatak, A. (2011). Laser Rate Equations. In: Lasers. Graduate Texts in Physics. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6442-7_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6442-7_5
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Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-6441-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-6442-7
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