A4.16

Quantum Physics
Part II, 2001

A harmonic oscillator of frequency ω\omega is in thermal equilibrium with a heat bath at temperature TT. Show that the mean number of quanta nn in the oscillator is

n=1eω/kT1.n=\frac{1}{e^{\hbar \omega / k T}-1} .

Use this result to show that the density of photons of frequency ω\omega for cavity radiation at temperature TT is

n(ω)=ω2π2c31eω/kT1n(\omega)=\frac{\omega^{2}}{\pi^{2} c^{3}} \frac{1}{e^{\hbar \omega / k T}-1}

By considering this system in thermal equilibrium with a set of distinguishable atoms, derive formulae for the Einstein AA and BB coefficients.

Give a brief description of the operation of a laser.