Lasers
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About
Topics
- Laser
- Photon Beams
- Quantum Mechanics
Description
Create a laser by pumping the chamber with a photon beam. Manage the energy states of the laser's atoms to control its output.
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.
Keywords
For Teachers
Teacher Tips
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Overview of sim controls, model simplifications, and insights into student thinking ( PDF ). |
Teacher-Submitted Activities
Title |
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Authors | Level | Type |
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Visualization and Visual Illusions SIM Homework |
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Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman | UG-Intro | HW |
How to make a laser |
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Sam McKagan, Kathy Perkins and Carl Wieman | UG-Adv UG-Intro |
HW |
How do PhET simulations fit in my middle school program? |
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Sarah Borenstein | MS | Other | |
Alignment of PhET sims with NGSS |
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Trish Loeblein | HS | Other | |
Bose-Einstein Condensation Lesson |
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Carl Wieman, Kathy Perkins | UG-Intro HS UG-Adv |
CQs Demo |
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Blackbody Spectrum & Lasers Simulations Homework |
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Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman | UG-Intro HS |
HW | |
MS and HS TEK to Sim Alignment | Elyse Zimmer | MS HS |
Other | ||
Laser activity | Ralf Widenhorn | UG-Adv | HW | ||
Light Emission and Lasers | Debra Krause Dandaneau | HS UG-Intro |
Lab Other |
Translations
Software Requirements
Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
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Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
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OS 10.5 or later Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later
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Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later
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Credits
Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
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