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Lasers

Create a laser by pumping the chamber with a photon beam. Manage the energy states of the laser's atoms to control its output.

 
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Version 4.07
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Topics Teaching Ideas Software Requirements Translated Versions Credits

Topics

Main Topics

  • Laser
  • Photon beam
  • Quantum Mechanics

Related Topics

Sample Learning Goals

  • Describe how absorption and spontaneous and stimulated emission work, and explain the requirements for each to occur.
  • Describe how a laser works.
  • Explain the requirements for lasing in terms of the intensity and wavelength of the lamp, the mirror reflectivity, and the lifetimes of the excited states of the atom.
  • Troubleshoot a broken laser.

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Teaching Ideas

Tips for Teachers

The teacher's guide contains tips for teachers created by the PhET team (PDF).

Ideas and Activities for this Sim

There are 4 contributions listed.

Ascending Sort (Z-A)Title Author Level Type Updated
Blackbody Spectrum & Lasers Simulations Homework Designed by PhET IconK. PerkinsHS
UG-Intro		HW11/08
Bose-Einstein Condensation Lesson Designed by PhET IconC. WiemanUG-Intro
UG-Adv
HS		CQs
Demo		7/08
How to make a laser Designed by PhET IconImage of Gold StarS. McKaganUG-Intro
UG-Adv		HW7/08
Light Emission and Lasers D. DandaneauUG-Intro
HS		Other
Lab		4/09

Submit Your Ideas & Activities

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Software Requirements

Java Icon

Windows Systems Macintosh Systems Linux Systems
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7
Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later

 OS 10.4.11 or later
Apple Java 1.5.0_19 or later

 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later

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Translated Versions

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Mongolian Mongolian Download
Polish Polish Download
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Credits

Design Team Third-party Libraries Thanks To
  • Ron LeMaster (developer)
  • Sam McKagan
  • Kathy Perkins
  • Carl Wieman
  • Interviewer: Danielle Harlow
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