Spectral hole burning

Spectral hole burning ( English spectral hole burning ) is a term used in physics of laser and one of the two forms of the hole burning .

In spectral hole burning, the amplification of certain frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum in the laser resonator is suppressed due to oversaturation. The effect occurs with inhomogeneous line broadening , for example with Doppler broadening . The radiation in the laser resonator interacts with different atoms or molecules, i. That is, particles can be excited by undesired frequencies. These atoms are then no longer available for the actual laser process. In the spectral representation (frequency plotted against population inversion or gain) so-called Bennett holes (after William R. Bennett ) result.

Further information

• F. Kneubühl, M. Sigrist: Laser . 7th edition. Vieweg + Teubner, Wiesbaden 2008, ISBN 978-3-8351-0145-6 .