Mastering Laser Science

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

The phase of incoherent sources varies randomly with time and position, making them ineffective for explaining light phenomena with engineering applications.

The polarization of light helps to explain the transverse nature of light and its use in photoelasticity.

<p>The preceding sections cover interference and diffraction of light.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Interference and diffraction phenomena do not provide information about whether light waves are longitudinal or transverse, or the nature of their vibrations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The purpose of using coherent and monochromatic sources in laser devices is to ensure that the light waves have a constant phase relationship and wavelength, which is necessary for amplification through stimulated emission of radiation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The term LASER stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polarization helps to explain the transverse nature of light waves and how it is used in photoelasticity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The preceding sections of the text cover interference and diffraction of light.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The phase of an incoherent source of light varies randomly with time and position, which makes it unsuitable for applications requiring a constant phase relationship.</p> Signup and view all the answers