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Episode 503: Preparation for lasers topic

 

It is likely that all pupils will have experienced laser technology in their homes or at school but may well not familiar with the range of uses of lasers, their operation and safety.

Section TAP 504-2 gives details of the safety measures required.

 

 

 
 
Ruby laser; Photon avalanche


Lasers form rather more of a 'tool' and so demonstration experiments are relatively few. However some ideas and an explanation of the workings and other details of a laser are given.

 

Episode 504: How lasers work

 

Main aims

As regards post-16 examinations, the formal requirements laid down are modest, or non-existent, so that the level of treatment here is not detailed.

Students will:

  1.        Outline the principles of operation of a laser.
  2.        State some uses of high and low energy lasers.

 

Prior knowledge

Students should know about the wave nature of light, including interference. They should also know how light is emitted by electron transitions within atoms.

 

 

 

Download Word version of Episode 503 (33KB)

 

 

 

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Artwork | Image by Fred Swist