Stimulated Emission
Albert Einstein: “Emission and Absorbtion of Radiation in Quantum Theory,” Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft, 1916, reproduction

In this publication of 1916, Einstein formulates a general theory of the interaction of light and matter based on Bohr’s atomic model. From this he concludes that light particles must possess an impulse, which Compton confirms in 1923. The paper is famous today because with it Einstein predicted stimulated emission – the physical principle of the laser, which is implemented in reality in 1959/60.

[ Sitemap ] [ info ] This website was created by the MPI for the History of Science.