2007-02-23 07:39:43 · 6 answers · asked by STEPHEN W 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
No, because sunlight is incoherent light.
Laser light is coherent light by definition; "coherence" means that the various light waves resonate with each other, increasing their overall strength. Incoherent light waves interfere with each other to some extent, weakening the overall strength of the beam.
2007-02-23 07:59:11 · answer #1 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what you mean by "used as a laser" but here's some background of the physics. LASER is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulate Emission of Radiation. Laser light, by definition, is created by bumping an electron in an excited state forcing it to relax to a stable state and emit a photon (light packet) in the process. The emitted photons bump into other excited state electrons, who then emit their own photons. Many materials can be used as lasing mediums, which are stimulated or "pumped" by other sources. The pump Light is Amplified by Stimulating the electrons to Emit Radiation (photons). Lasers are often characterized by the degree of coherence they have. Coherence is a measure of how narrow the range of frequencies of light are produced and also how well in phase the wavefront of light is. Sunlight is inherently broadband (contains many wavelengths) and the photons arrive with no regular phase relationship. Sunlight could be made coherent by using narrowband filters and/or a pinhole to achieve a wavefront with well behaved phase, though not made to be a "laser".
2007-02-23 09:05:52 · answer #2 · answered by Aaron S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually yes, when I was getting my electronics degree we did this while studying lasers. We broke the light down into its spectrum, then separated out one color( single wavelength). We created several of these colored beams and used mirrors to add them together( thus magnifying the power). It was a bit complex, not practical, and you can't achieve anything useful in power, but it is possible. I can't remember why we preformed the experiment though.
2007-02-23 08:03:50 · answer #3 · answered by Jewelmaker 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! With the use of a prism. one can amplify the light.
2007-02-26 17:59:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
But it could be used to start a fire
2007-02-23 07:48:27 · answer #5 · answered by Jewel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-02-23 07:46:07 · answer #6 · answered by bainstpal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋