Elements of Light–Matter Interaction

doi:10.1117/3.1002504.ch1

Book: Solid State Lasers: Tunable Sources and Passive Q-Switching Elements

Author(s): Yehoshua Y. Kalisky

Published: 2014

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.1002504.ch1

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

This chapter briefly explains several concepts pertaining to the interaction between light and matter. Basic concepts such as Einstein coefficients, which describe the spontaneous emission and the stimulated absorption, as well as the classical and quantum mechanical description of absorption and emission processes are explained. More-detailed descriptions of various emission and absorption models can be found in several textbooks, such as those by Yariv, Siegman, and Miloni and Eberly.