21 Questions
What is the primary difference between the bandwidth of a laser's lasing medium and that of a light-emitting diode (LED)?
The laser's lasing medium has a much narrower bandwidth than an LED, with a single longitudinal mode being even narrower
When does spontaneous emission occur in a laser?
When the atom emits a photon without any external stimulus
What process occurs when a photon with the same energy excites an atom to emit a photon?
Stimulated emission
How is population inversion typically achieved in the laser medium?
Optically pumped using strong flashes of light
What are some key features of laser light mentioned in the text?
Monochromatic, coherent, collimated, high power density, and polarized
What are some applications of lasers in medicine mentioned in the text?
Laser surgery, ophthalmology, kidney stone treatment, and optic coherence tomography (OCT)
What are the primary damage mechanisms for biological tissue when using lasers?
Thermal and photochemical effects
Why is damage to the eye a major concern when using lasers?
Due to the critical nature of the organ and the laser's ability to focus light
What is true about laser safety classes mentioned in the text?
They range from inherently safe to potentially dangerous, with appropriate precautions required for handling and use.
What does the word LASER stand for?
Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation
Which of the following is a characteristic of laser light?
Single wavelength
What distinguishes laser light from other forms of light sources?
Coherence and monochromaticity
Which gas can be used as a medium for a laser?
Xenon
What is the main application of a ruby laser?
Dermatology
What does a helium neon laser illustrate with its spectrum?
Very high spectral purity
What characteristic leads to high brightness, power, and very small spot sizes when a laser is focused?
Coherence, monochromaticity, and low divergence (collimate)
Which type of light source forms a collimated beam?
LASER
What does LASER stand out for in terms of power concentration?
All power/energy concentrated at one wavelength
What type of waves are in step along and across the beam in LASER light?
Coherent waves
Which medical application involves the use of a confocal microscope?
Dermatology procedures
What property allows a laser to form a narrow beam?
Coherence and monochromaticity
Study Notes
- The bandwidth of a laser's lasing medium is much narrower than that of a light-emitting diode (LED), with a single longitudinal mode being even narrower
- The laser medium's bandwidth is over 10,000 times narrower than an LED's spectral width
- Atoms in a laser can undergo spontaneous emission or stimulated emission
- Spontaneous emission occurs when the atom emits a photon without any external stimulus
- Stimulated emission occurs when a photon with the same energy excites the atom to emit a photon
- A population inversion occurs when there are more atoms in the excited state than the ground state
- The laser medium is often optically pumped to achieve a population inversion, typically using strong flashes of light
- Laser light has several key features: monochromatic, coherent, collimated, high power density, and polarized
- Applications in medicine include laser surgery, ophthalmology, kidney stone treatment, and optic coherence tomography (OCT)
- Thermal and photochemical effects are the primary damage mechanisms for biological tissue when using lasers
- Damage to the eye is a major concern due to the critical nature of the organ and the laser's ability to focus light
- Laser safety classes range from inherently safe to potentially dangerous, with appropriate precautions required for handling and use.
Test your knowledge about LASER technology and its use in medicine with this quiz. Learn about the characteristics of LASER, its safety regulations, and various medical applications.
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