Here's something that is probably obvious to many here, but not to me which I am having a difficult time understanding. I sort of understand how light amplification takes place with a ruby rod, a mirror, a semi-reflective mirror and a light source as a pump to create a narrow beam of coherent light.
But, these laser diodes seem to be nothing more than a very bright light source that can be focused into a narrow beam of light using lenses. Is there any real amplification of light taking place within the diode itself?
But, these laser diodes seem to be nothing more than a very bright light source that can be focused into a narrow beam of light using lenses. Is there any real amplification of light taking place within the diode itself?