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Re: More laser thoughts



On Thu, 12 Dec 1996, William Beaty wrote:
Another idea I worked out on my own, but have yet to encounter elsewhere.
Is this because I'm wrong?

Q: Why is a population inversion necessary in laser material?

A: Because without a population inversion, the laser material acts as
an absorber. When the population inverts, the laser material changes
from 99% transmitting to 101% transmitting.

Bill, actually population inversion is NOT necessary. I'm no laser jock,
but there was a talk given on it here last semester.
--
James Bradford Shue jshue@comp.uark.edu
University of Arkansas Voice phone:(501) 575-6059
Physics Lab/Demo Curator FAX Number: (501) 575-4580
WWW Page http://comp.uark.edu/~jshue