For these devices to work, the number of atoms in an excited state must be greater than the number of atoms in the ground state, a condition known as population inversion.
These devices require a pump source and a gain medium, such as a mixture of noble gases or doped crystals. For these devices to work, the number of atoms in an excited state must be greater than the number of atoms in the ground state, a condition known as population inversion. The first of these devices was developed by Theodore Maiman and used a ruby as a gain medium. These devices are used to create a coherent beam of monochromatic light. For 10 points, name these devices that, as their acronym suggests, amplify light by stimulated emission of radiation.
These devices require a pump source and a gain medium, such as a mixture of noble gases or doped crystals.
{lasers} [accept {light amplification} by {stimulated emission} of {radiation} before mentioned]