Write a Construction and working Ruby Laser. and explain uses of laser.
Constructing a Ruby Laser:
A Ruby laser is a type of solid-state laser that uses a synthetic ruby crystal as the lasing medium. The construction of a Ruby laser involves the following steps:
Lasing Medium: The core component of a Ruby laser is a synthetic ruby crystal. The ruby crystal is a rod-shaped piece of synthetic ruby (Al2O3:Cr3+), doped with chromium ions (Cr3+). This ruby crystal acts as the lasing medium, where light amplification takes place through the process of stimulated emission.
Optical Pumping: The ruby crystal needs to be “pumped” to achieve population inversion, which is necessary for lasing action. For this, a high-energy source, such as a high-intensity flashlamp, is used to pump energy into the ruby crystal. The flashlamp emits an intense pulse of white light that excites the chromium ions in the ruby crystal, raising them to higher energy levels.
Optical Cavity: The ruby crystal is placed between two mirrors, forming an optical cavity. One of the mirrors is fully reflective (total internal reflection), while the other is partially transparent, allowing some of the light to escape. This arrangement creates a feedback loop, where light is reflected back and forth within the cavity, stimulating further emission.
Stimulated Emission: As the excited chromium ions in the ruby crystal return to their lower energy state, they emit photons of a specific wavelength. These emitted photons stimulate other excited chromium ions to emit more photons of the same wavelength, resulting in a cascading effect of light amplification.
Laser Output: The partially transparent mirror allows a small fraction of the light to escape, producing the laser output. The emitted light is coherent (in-phase) and monochromatic (single wavelength), creating a powerful and focused laser beam.
Working of Ruby Laser:
When the flashlamp is triggered, it pumps energy into the ruby crystal, exciting the chromium ions. As these ions return to their ground state, they emit photons, some of which are reflected back and forth between the mirrors. This process amplifies the light through stimulated emission, and finally, a coherent and monochromatic laser beam is emitted through the partially transparent mirror.
Uses of Laser:
Laser technology has numerous applications across various fields due to its unique properties like coherence, monochromaticity, and high intensity. Some common uses of lasers include:
Communications: Lasers are used in fiber optic communication systems to transmit data over long distances with minimal signal loss.
Cutting and Welding: High-power lasers are used in industrial applications for cutting and welding metals and materials with precision and speed.
Medicine: Lasers are widely used in medicine for surgeries, eye treatments, dental procedures, and various diagnostic applications.
Barcode Scanners: Laser barcode scanners are used in retail and inventory management to quickly read barcodes.
Printing: Laser printers use laser technology to produce high-quality prints.
Laser Shows: Lasers are used for entertainment purposes, creating mesmerizing laser light shows and visual effects.
Surveying: Lasers are used in surveying and leveling instruments for precise measurements in construction and engineering.
Research: Lasers are essential tools in scientific research, used in spectroscopy, microscopy, and other experimental techniques.
These are just a few examples of the extensive range of applications where lasers play a crucial role, making them one of the most transformative technologies of the modern world.