In Maiman's ruby laser, which specific ions served as the active centers for creating population inversion?

Answer

chromium ions (Cr3+)

For the synthetic ruby crystal rod—which is aluminum oxide—to function as a laser medium, it required specific impurities that could be excited to high energy levels, thereby achieving the necessary population inversion. The active centers responsible for this critical condition were the chromium ions, denoted chemically as $ ext{Cr}^{3+}$. These specific ions were doped into the aluminum oxide matrix, and when intensely pumped by the flash lamp, they became the agents that underwent stimulated emission, releasing the coherent red photons. The successful doping concentration and the presence of these specific ion centers were crucial prerequisites for the ruby system to operate successfully as a laser.

In Maiman's ruby laser, which specific ions served as the active centers for creating population inversion?

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The world's first laser was successfully operated by Theodore Maiman

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