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Can new laser gain media be inspired by nuclear technology?

As someone working in photonics, I'm curious about the fundamental material science. The unique energy states and pumping mechanisms in nuclear processes might inspire novel solid-state or gas laser designs, but I'm unsure about the practical feasibility and physical overlaps.

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By Jasmeet Answered 4 years ago

That's a fascinating and insightful line of inquiry. I have seen promising conceptual overlaps, particularly in the physics of population inversion. Nuclear pumping methods, like in certain gas dynamic lasers, can achieve extremely high energy densities. I would recommend looking into direct nuclear-pumped laser research from the late 20th century. The challenge isn't inspiration it's engineering a practical, efficient system outside highly specialized environments. The material stability under such intense excitation is a key hurdle to overcome.

 

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