optical resonator
Quick Summary
An optical resonator is a crucial component in devices like lasers. It's formed by placing two mirrors facing each other. Light emitted along the line between these mirrors is reflected back and forth, building up its energy. This process is essential for amplifying light within a laser medium.1
In essence, the resonator acts as a feedback mechanism. As light bounces between the mirrors, it passes through the laser medium multiple times, becoming more intense with each pass. While one mirror might reflect most of the light, the other typically allows a fraction to escape, forming the laser beam. Without this resonant cavity, a laser would only be an optical amplifier, capable of strengthening external light but not generating its own beam.1
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