Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxp.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!ihuxp!b12958
From: b12958@ihuxp.UUCP (Pete S)
Newsgroups: net.physics
Subject: Re: Nature of Photons
Message-ID: <694@ihuxp.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Mar-84 09:04:06 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxp.694
Posted: Thu Mar 29 09:04:06 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 30-Mar-84 02:11:25 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 14



This is in response to the ongoing discussion of whether or not a laser
depends on the boson property of photons or on the cavity construction.
Since astronomers have detected maser action in the atmosphere of Mars
and in interstellar space associated with dust clouds, the answer is clear.
A cavity is not necessay for a maser or a laser (which, I believe, can be
thought of a as a short wavelength maser).  For us on Earth, working in a
lab, a cavity is an easy method to take advantage of the limited path
length available and to increase it to the point that there is enough
amplification.

                            P Schultz
                            AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL