Principal Sponsors
Makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society, where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time.
National Science Foundation
An independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science.
King Saud University seeks to become a leader in educational and technological innovation, scientific discovery and creativity through fostering an atmosphere of intellectual inspiration and partnership for the prosperity of society.
The O'Donnell Foundation is devoted to building model programs to enhance the quality of education.
Lasers
Create a laser by pumping the chamber with a photon beam. Manage the energy states of the laser's atoms to control its output.
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Teaching Resources
Main Topics
- Laser
- Photon Beams
- Quantum Mechanics
Sample Learning Goals
- Describe how absorption and spontaneous and stimulated emission work, and explain the requirements for each to occur.
- Describe how a laser works.
- Explain the requirements for lasing in terms of the intensity and wavelength of the lamp, the mirror reflectivity, and the lifetimes of the excited states of the atom.
- Troubleshoot a broken laser.
Tips for Teachers
The teacher's guide (pdf) contains tips created by the PhET team.
Teaching Ideas
| Title | Authors | Level | Type | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Visualization and Visual Illusions SIM Homework
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Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman | UG-Intro | HW | 1/9/11 |
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How to make a laser
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Sam McKagan, Kathy Perkins and Carl Wieman | UG-Adv UG-Intro |
HW | 4/20/10 |
| Light Emission and Lasers | Debra Krause Dandaneau | HS UG-Intro |
Lab Other |
4/17/09 |
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Blackbody Spectrum & Lasers Simulations Homework
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Kathy Perkins, Carl Wieman | UG-Intro HS |
HW | 1/8/11 |
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Bose-Einstein Condensation Lesson
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Carl Wieman, Kathy Perkins | HS UG-Intro UG-Adv |
Demo CQs |
1/9/11 |
You can submit your own ideas and activities.
Translated Versions:
Software Requirements
| Windows | Macintosh | Linux |
|---|---|---|
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Microsoft Windows
XP/Vista/7 Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later |
OS 10.5 or later
Sun Java 1.5.0_19 or later |
Sun Java 1.5.0_15 or later |
Credits
| Design Team | Third-party Libraries | Thanks To |
|---|---|---|
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