population inversion (redirected from Inverse population)

The condition that occurs when a material is radiated with another material at a certain wavelength, causing electrons to jump to a higher orbit (higher shell). When the electrons return to their ground state, they spontaneously emit a photon. Population inversion is the reason a laser works. The spontaneous emission of photons is amplified by mirrors causing a chain reaction and further stimulation of the excited atoms to release photons. See laser.