SEMICONDUCTOR LASER Meaning and
Definition
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A semiconductor laser is a compact and efficient light-emitting device that utilizes the principles of stimulated emission of radiation to generate coherent and directional light. It operates based on the properties of semiconductors, materials with electrical conductivity between that of insulators and conductors.
Specifically, a semiconductor laser consists of a semiconductor material, usually composed of gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium phosphide (InP), that forms a junction between p-type and n-type regions. This junction, called a p-n junction, creates a region where electrons and holes (positive charges created by the absence of an electron) annihilate each other and release energy in the form of light.
When a forward bias voltage is applied across the p-n junction, it allows the injection of electrons from the n-type region into the p-type region. These electrons recombine with the holes at the junction, releasing energy in the form of photons with specific wavelengths determined by the bandgap energy of the semiconductor material.
Semiconductor lasers are capable of emitting light in a narrow spectral range with high coherence, making them extremely useful in various applications such as telecommunications, optical storage, and laser printing. They offer advantages of compact size, low power consumption, and high reliability compared to other types of lasers. Additionally, their wavelength range can be tuned by adjusting the composition and properties of the semiconductor material, allowing for tailored performance in diverse applications.
Common Misspellings for SEMICONDUCTOR LASER
- aemiconductor laser
- zemiconductor laser
- xemiconductor laser
- demiconductor laser
- eemiconductor laser
- wemiconductor laser
- swmiconductor laser
- ssmiconductor laser
- sdmiconductor laser
- srmiconductor laser
- s4miconductor laser
- s3miconductor laser
- seniconductor laser
- sekiconductor laser
- sejiconductor laser
- semuconductor laser
- semjconductor laser
- semkconductor laser
- semoconductor laser
- sem9conductor laser
Etymology of SEMICONDUCTOR LASER
The word "semiconductor" originated from the Late Latin word "semiconductus", which is a combination of "semi-" meaning "half" and "conductus" meaning "conduct". The term was initially used in reference to materials that conduct electricity moderately, neither acting as a perfect conductor nor a perfect insulator.
The word "laser" is an acronym derived from "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation". The term was coined in 1959 by an American physicist named Gordon Gould.
Therefore, the term "semiconductor laser" combines the concept of a "semiconductor" material, which is used to construct the laser diode, and the process of "laser" technology, which involves the amplification of light through stimulated emission.
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