[amp_mcq option1=”Same frequency” option2=”Same amplitude” option3=”Same phase” option4=”All of the above” correct=”option4″]
The correct answer is: D. All of the above
In a laser, all the atoms emit light waves of the same frequency, amplitude, and phase. This is because the atoms are stimulated to emit light by a process called stimulated emission. Stimulated emission occurs when an atom is in an excited state and it absorbs a photon of light with the same frequency as the light that the atom will emit when it decays to a lower energy state. The absorbed photon causes the atom to decay to a lower energy state, and in doing so, it emits a photon with the same frequency, amplitude, and phase as the absorbed photon.
This process of stimulated emission is what allows lasers to produce light with a very narrow bandwidth, or range of frequencies. The light from a laser is also very coherent, which means that the waves of light are all in phase with each other. This makes laser light very intense and useful for a variety of applications, such as surgery, telecommunications, and manufacturing.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Same frequency: The light waves emitted by a laser all have the same frequency. This is because the atoms in a laser are all stimulated to emit light by the same process, stimulated emission. Stimulated emission occurs when an atom is in an excited state and it absorbs a photon of light with the same frequency as the light that the atom will emit when it decays to a lower energy state. The absorbed photon causes the atom to decay to a lower energy state, and in doing so, it emits a photon with the same frequency, amplitude, and phase as the absorbed photon.
- Same amplitude: The light waves emitted by a laser all have the same amplitude. This is because the atoms in a laser are all stimulated to emit light by the same process, stimulated emission. Stimulated emission occurs when an atom is in an excited state and it absorbs a photon of light with the same frequency as the light that the atom will emit when it decays to a lower energy state. The absorbed photon causes the atom to decay to a lower energy state, and in doing so, it emits a photon with the same frequency, amplitude, and phase as the absorbed photon.
- Same phase: The light waves emitted by a laser all have the same phase. This is because the atoms in a laser are all stimulated to emit light by the same process, stimulated emission. Stimulated emission occurs when an atom is in an excited state and it absorbs a photon of light with the same frequency as the light that the atom will emit when it decays to a lower energy state. The absorbed photon causes the atom to decay to a lower energy state, and in doing so, it emits a photon with the same frequency, amplitude, and phase as the absorbed photon.