The principle of a laser diode is based on the concept of stimulated emission of radiation, a fundamental process described by Albert Einstein in 1917. Here’s a detailed explanation of how a laser diode works:
Energy Bands and Carriers: In a semiconductor, there are two main energy bands: the valence band and the conduction band. Electrons in the conduction band are free to move, while holes (the absence of electrons) exist in the valence band. In a laser diode, a p-n junction is created by doping a semiconductor material, such as gallium arsenide (GaAs), to form p-type (positive) and n-type (negative) regions.
Forward Biasing: When a voltage is applied across the p-n junction in the forward bias direction, electrons from the n-region gain enough energy to cross the junction and recombine with holes in the p-region. This recombination process releases energy in the form of photons (light particles).
Stimulated Emission: The key to laser operation is stimulated emission. When an electron in a higher energy state (excited state) falls to a lower energy state, it can emit a photon. If this photon encounters another excited electron, it can stimulate that electron to fall to the lower energy state and emit an identical photon. This results in two photons of the same phase, frequency, direction, and polarization.
Optical Cavity: The laser diode has an optical cavity formed by the cleaved ends of the semiconductor crystal, which act as mirrors. One end is partially reflective, allowing some light to escape as the laser beam. Photons bouncing back and forth between these mirrors stimulate more emissions, amplifying the light.
Population Inversion: For efficient stimulated emission, a population inversion is required, where more electrons are in the excited state than in the lower energy state. This is achieved by injecting a high current through the diode, ensuring a continuous supply of electrons and holes.
Coherent Light: The emitted light is coherent, meaning the light waves are in phase and have a fixed relationship with each other. This coherence, along with the monochromatic nature (single wavelength) of the light, is a characteristic feature of laser output.
By carefully designing the semiconductor material and the structure of the diode, specific wavelengths of light can be produced, making laser diodes useful in a wide range of applications, from telecommunications and barcode scanners to medical devices and consumer electronics.
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