*Stimulated emission* is a light emission process.
If light of a certain frequency passes an excited electron (in blue), a similar photon to the first one can be emitted while de-exciting the electron. The energy of the electron (it is in the excited, upper state) is converted into a photon. The second photon has the same energy and the same [[Phase - Wave|phase]] as the first one. The in-phase oscillation is the main difference to [[Spontaneous Emission|spontaneous emission]].
![[stimulated_emission.excalidraw.light.svg]]
This process is the basis of a [[Laser|laser]]. By forcing a chain reaction of stimulated emissions, many photons of the same [[Phase - Wave|phase]] and [[Frequency|frequency]] are produced. The result is a beam of [[Monochromatic Light|monochromatic]] and [[Coherent Light|coherent light]].
>[!read]- Further Reading
>- [[Laser]]
>- [[Coherence]]
>- [[Coherent Light]]
>- [[Spontaneous Emission]]
>[!ref]- References