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M.A.S.E.R
PHYSICS INVOLVED IN M.A.S.E.R
According to classical physics
I(w) is the intensity of distribution of radiation emitted by a harmonic oscillator in equilibrium with a
black body at temperature T.
Radiation intensity for radio wave/microwave oscillators corresponds to E^10 to E^30 Kelvin. Which
seems to be rather out of place.
PHYSICS INVOLVED IN M.A.S.E.R
The Catch….
According to Planck’s theory , the oscillator would keep pumping energy into the cavity until it piled up enough
radiation to balance the absorption and emission(by Blackbody). So, the radiation at the temperature of the
molecule could not be made more intense without violating the 2nd law of thermodynamics.
Now suppose that we have, in equilibrium at temperature T, a certain number of atoms Nn in the state n and another number
Nm in the state m. Then the total number of atoms that are going from n to m is the number that are in the state n times the
rate per second that, if one is in n, it goes up to m. So we have a formula
for the number that are going from n to m per second.
The number that will go from m to n is expressed in the same manner, as the number N,• that are in m, times the chance per
second that each one goes down to n. This time our expression is
Now we shall suppose that in thermal equilibrium the number of atoms going up
must equal the number coming down.
From Planck’s law for black body radiation..
If we knowabsorption rate we can deduce the spontaneous emission and the induce
emission rates.
PRINCIPLE’S OF “MASING”
We can have, by some non-thermal
methods, a gas in which the number in the state m is much
greater than the number in the state n.
Ideally number in state n0. Then radiation which has frequency corresponding to (Em - En) will not be
strongly absorbed because there aren’t many atoms in state n. When that radiation is present it will induce
emission from the upper state.
Create a concentrated source of atoms in the upper state , there would be a sort of chain reaction
in which, the moment the atoms begin to emit more will be caused to emit, and the whole lot of them would dump
down together.
To enhance induced effect, increase its efficiency, use nearly perfect mirrors.
HYDROGEN (FLUID MEDIUM) RUBY (SOLID STATE)
M.A.S.E.R M.A.S.E.R
A feeble input signal acts as the inducing photon in the resonating cavity . The induced
photons are the amplified signals.
The ‘noise’ in this amplifier is:
Spontaneous emission
The spontaneous emission of radiation can be accounted for by probabilistic approach (uncertainty principle).
The output signal bus can be made superconducting to negate losses in transmission.
Due to space constraints and low flow rate requirements , pulse-tube cryo-coolers are preferred.
APPLICATIONS OF M.A.S.E.R
Missile Detectors
Radio astronomy
Space communication
Atomic clocks
Study of molecular physics
REFERENCE
Production Of Coherent Radiation By Atoms And Molecules – Charles H. Townes
Nobel Lecture, December 11, 1964
The Mechanical Lectures on Physics , Vol.1, Mechanics, Radiation and Heat
– Feynman R.P & Co.
Introduction to Physics – Resnick & Halliday
American Institute of Physics (website )