Unlocking the Power of Laser Technology

Have you ever wondered how lasers are generated in He-Ne and CO2 lasers?

a. Yes
b. No

Answer:

The transition from the excited state (Es) to the metastable state (E3) in a He-Ne laser generates a laser beam in the infrared (IR) region at a wavelength of 632.8 nm.

Explanation:

In a He-Ne laser, the laser beam is generated through the transition from the excited state (Es) to the metastable state (E3) of the helium-neon gas mixture. This transition produces a laser beam in the infrared (IR) region at a wavelength of 632.8 nm.

The He-Ne laser is commonly used in various applications, including scientific research, telecommunications, and barcode scanners. It operates by exciting the helium and neon atoms in the gas mixture using an electrical discharge. When the atoms return from the excited state (Es) to the metastable state (E3), they release energy in the form of photons. These photons have a specific wavelength of 632.8 nm, which falls within the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

On the other hand, a CO2 laser operates by exciting carbon dioxide molecules in a discharge tube filled with a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and helium. The CO2 laser emits a laser beam in the mid-infrared region at a wavelength of around 10.6 micrometers.

CO2 lasers are widely used in industrial cutting, welding, and engraving applications due to their high power and ability to efficiently absorb by many materials.