Laser Power & NoiseLight Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

• Laser light is coherent and monochromatic (same frequency and wavelength)

• This means the emitted radiation is in phase with and propagating in the same direction as the stimulating radiation

• ION lasers use electromagnetic energy to produce and confine the ionized gas plasma which serves as the lasing medium.

• Lasers can be continuous wave (CW) or pulsed (where flashlamps provide the pulse)

• Laser efficiency is variable - argon ion lasers are about 0.01% efficient (1 W needs 10KW power)

Shapiro p 106

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Laser Power and Noise

This slide covers more properties behind lasers.