Definition of active medium

Suppliers Products Categories Handbook Dictionary Careers
Resources Photonics Spectra BioPhotonics Vision Spectra Virtual Events & Summits Educational Institutions Add/Update Your Listing Exhibitor Listing Portal Become an Exhibitor Buyers' Guide Print Edition Marketplace Help
Subscribe Advertise

Suppliers Products Categories Handbook Dictionary Careers

Resources

Photonics Spectra BioPhotonics Vision Spectra Virtual Events & Summits Educational Institutions Add/Update Your Listing Exhibitor Listing Portal Become an Exhibitor Buyers' Guide Print Edition Marketplace Help

PI Physik Instrumente - Microscope Stages LB ROS 11/24

Photonics Dictionary

active medium: An active medium is a material or substance used in various optical devices and systems, where it plays a critical role in amplifying light or producing laser beams through the process of stimulated emission. The active medium can be found in lasers, amplifiers, and other photonic devices.

Lasers: The active medium in a laser is the material that, when excited by an external energy source (such as electrical current, light, or chemical reaction), emits photons through the process of stimulated emission. This medium can be a gas (e.g., CO₂ laser), a liquid (e.g., dye laser), a solid (e.g., ruby laser), or a semiconductor (e.g., diode laser). The active medium determines the wavelength and properties of the laser light.

Optical amplifiers: In optical amplifiers, the active medium is the substance that amplifies an incoming light signal. For example, in an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), the active medium is an optical fiber doped with erbium ions. When pumped with light at specific wavelengths, the erbium ions amplify the signal passing through the fiber.

Plasma physics: In plasma physics, the active medium can refer to the ionized gas that, when excited, emits light or radiation. This principle is utilized in devices like plasma displays and certain types of gas discharge lamps.

The active medium is crucial for the operation of these devices, as it directly affects the efficiency, output power, and spectral properties of the emitted light or radiation.

Lambda Research Optics, Inc. - Beamsplitter Cubes

Popular Articles

Explore Our Content
News
Features
Latest Products
Webinars
White Papers
All Things Photonics Podcast
Photonics Spectra Now
Videos
Our Summits & Conferences
Industry Events
Bookstore

Join Our Community
Subscribe
Advertise
Become a member
Sign in
Contribute a Feature
Suggest a Webinar
Submit a Press Release
Mobile Apps

About Us
Our Company
Our Publications
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Teddi C. Laurin Scholarship

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)

Requesting information about:

* First Name:

* Last Name:

* Email Address:

* Company:

* Country:

Message:

When you click "Send Request", we will record and send your personal contact information to the supplier by email so they may respond directly. You also agree that Photonics Media may contact you with information related to this inquiry, and that you have read and accept our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use.

* Required

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.