Quantum cascade laser
A quantum cascade laser is a special kind of laser that uses a trick called "quantum mechanics" to make really powerful light. Think of a laser as a special kind of flashlight that shoots out really strong, focused beams of light.
Normally, in a flashlight or a regular laser, light is made when atoms release energy in the form of photons. But in a quantum cascade laser, this process is done in a very special way.
Instead of just one atom releasing energy all at once, many tiny sections (called "quantum wells") inside the laser take turns releasing energy, like a line of dominos falling one after the other. This creates a stronger, more focused beam of light than a regular laser can produce.
Quantum cascade lasers are really good at certain things, like detecting tiny amounts of gas in the air or looking at really small things under a microscope. They're also useful for making medical equipment or analyzing materials in a lab.
Normally, in a flashlight or a regular laser, light is made when atoms release energy in the form of photons. But in a quantum cascade laser, this process is done in a very special way.
Instead of just one atom releasing energy all at once, many tiny sections (called "quantum wells") inside the laser take turns releasing energy, like a line of dominos falling one after the other. This creates a stronger, more focused beam of light than a regular laser can produce.
Quantum cascade lasers are really good at certain things, like detecting tiny amounts of gas in the air or looking at really small things under a microscope. They're also useful for making medical equipment or analyzing materials in a lab.