History Of Lasers
The name Laser is an acroym for Light Amplification by rhe simulated Emission of Radiation . I, 1917, Albert Einsteinfirst theorzed about the process which makes lasers possible called "Simulated Emmission." Before Lasers, there was maser (Microwave Amplification by the Simulated Emmission). On March 24, 1959, Charles townes and Arthur Schawlow theorized and published papers about a visible laser, an invention that would use infrared and visible spectrum light; however, they did not proceed with any research at a time.
How Lasers Work
Lasers are possible beacuse of the way light intracts with electrons. Electrons exist at specific energy levels or states characteristic of that particular atom or molecule. The energy can be imagined as rings or orbits around a nucleus. Electrons in outer rings are at higher energy levels than those in inner rings. Electrons can be bumed up to higher energy levels by injection of enegy light like flash light. When an elctron drops from an inner level, "excess" enegy is given off as light. The wavelength or color of the emitted light is precisely related to the amount of energy released.
