Newsroom
What is Stimulated Emission?
Stimulated emission is the process by which an excited atom or ion is induced to release a photon when interacting with an incoming photon of the appropriate energy. The emitted photon has the same frequency, phase, polarization, and direction as the incoming photon.
This process is fundamental to laser generation and optical amplification, including in rare-earth doped fibers.
HOW Stimulated Emission Works
Stimulated emission occurs when an incoming photon interacts with an excited atom or ion and triggers the release of a second, matching photon. This process allows optical energy to build up coherently within a gain medium.
Excitation
Energy from a pump source raises an atom or ion to an excited energy state.
Photon interaction
An incoming photon with the appropriate energy interacts with the excited atom or ion.
Photon emission
The excited particle releases a second photon matching the incoming photon in frequency, phase, polarization, and direction, resulting in optical amplification.
