Ruby Laser
The ruby laser, first invented in 1960, was the world’s first laser. Created by Theodore Maiman, the ruby laser is composed of aluminium oxide where some of the aluminium ions have been replaced with chromium ions. These chromium ions are what gives the ruby laser its red color. Its gain medium is a cylindrical crystal. A fully reflecting mirror and a partially reflecting mirror are placed at both ends of the cylindrical crystal. A high intensity lamp is spiraled around the cylinder to produce a flash of light that triggers the laser. The ruby laser wavelength is 649.3 nm with a deep red color.
How A Ruby Laser Works:
1. High-voltage electricity causes the quartz flash tube to emit an intense burst of light, exciting some of the atoms in the ruby crystal to higher energy levels.
2. At a specific energy level, some atoms emit particles of light called photons. At first the photons are emitted in all directions. Photons from one atom stimulate emission of photons from other atoms and the light intensity is rapidly amplified.
3. Mirrors at each end reflect the photons back and forth, continuing this process of stimulated emission and amplification.
4. The photons leave through the partially silvered mirror at one end. This is laser light.
A Brief History of the Inventor Theodore Maiman was born on July 11, 1927 in Los Angeles, California. As a child, he was very inquisitive and intelligent. He kept a lab in the basement of every home he lived in. He went to the University of Colorado where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics. His graduate career was at Stanford University where he earned his Ph.D in Physics. After creating the laser, he founded the Korad Corporation in 1962 to develop and manufacture a line of high-powered laser equipment.
Bibliography:
https://laserfest.org
How A Ruby Laser Works:
1. High-voltage electricity causes the quartz flash tube to emit an intense burst of light, exciting some of the atoms in the ruby crystal to higher energy levels.
2. At a specific energy level, some atoms emit particles of light called photons. At first the photons are emitted in all directions. Photons from one atom stimulate emission of photons from other atoms and the light intensity is rapidly amplified.
3. Mirrors at each end reflect the photons back and forth, continuing this process of stimulated emission and amplification.
4. The photons leave through the partially silvered mirror at one end. This is laser light.
A Brief History of the Inventor Theodore Maiman was born on July 11, 1927 in Los Angeles, California. As a child, he was very inquisitive and intelligent. He kept a lab in the basement of every home he lived in. He went to the University of Colorado where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Physics. His graduate career was at Stanford University where he earned his Ph.D in Physics. After creating the laser, he founded the Korad Corporation in 1962 to develop and manufacture a line of high-powered laser equipment.
Bibliography:
https://laserfest.org
Bibliography: https://laserfest.org http://laserinventor.com/bio.html