Which year did Einstein publish the paper that laid the foundation for laser technology?

Which year did Einstein publish the paper that laid the foundation for laser technology?

• A. 1928
• B. 1917
• C. 1957
• D. 1960

Answer: (B)

The year 1917 is significant because this is when Albert Einstein published his paper on the theory of stimulated emission. In this groundbreaking work, he described the process whereby an electron in a higher energy state can be stimulated by a photon to drop to a lower energy state, emitting a second photon in the process. This principle became the foundation for laser technology, as lasers operate on this concept of stimulated emission to produce coherent light. The other years listed do not correspond to this foundational work. 1928, 1957, and 1960 are not the years when Einstein introduced the principles that would later enable the development of lasers. Instead, they are years when other scientific advancements or theories were explored but do not relate directly to the fundamental principles outlined by Einstein in 1917.

The year 1917 is significant because this is when Albert Einstein published his paper on the theory of stimulated emission. In this groundbreaking work, he described the process whereby an electron in a higher energy state can be stimulated by a photon to drop to a lower energy state, emitting a second photon in the process. This principle became the foundation for laser technology, as lasers operate on this concept of stimulated emission to produce coherent light.

The other years listed do not correspond to this foundational work. 1928, 1957, and 1960 are not the years when Einstein introduced the principles that would later enable the development of lasers. Instead, they are years when other scientific advancements or theories were explored but do not relate directly to the fundamental principles outlined by Einstein in 1917.