Radiation, Transitions, and Coherence

Convert among spectral energy density, optical intensity, photon flux, and photon rate for a beam with specified geometry and bandwidth.

Distinguish absorption, spontaneous emission, and stimulated emission using their state transitions and radiation properties.

Derive the relationships among the Einstein coefficients, including level-degeneracy factors, by imposing thermal equilibrium.

Calculate absorption and stimulated-emission rates from Einstein coefficients and spectral energy density.

Determine whether a specified set of level populations constitutes a population inversion after accounting for level degeneracy.

Distinguish homogeneous from inhomogeneous broadening and identify the dominant mechanism in a given physical situation.

Calculate the stimulated-emission cross section from a normalized line shape and transition parameters.

Relate optical linewidth to coherence time and coherence length for a specified line shape.