Lasers

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things that the
so-called active medium might consist of are, atoms of a gas, molecules in a
liquid, and ions in a crystal. Another component consists of some method of
introducing energy into the active medium, such as a flash lamp for example.
Another component is the pair of mirrors on either side of the active medium
which consists of one that transmits some of the radiation that hits it. If the
active component in the laser is a gas laser than each atom is characterized by
a set of energy states, or energy levels, of which it may consist. An example
of the energy states could be pictured as a unevenly spaced ladder which the
higher rungs mean higher states of energy and the lower rungs mean lower states
of energy. If left disturbed for a long time the atom will reach its ground
state or lowest state of energy. According to quantum mechanics there is only
one light frequency that the atom will work with. There are three ways that the
atom can deal with the presence of light ...

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