Pumping

The raising of the molecules or atoms of a lasant to an energy state above the normal lowest state to produce laser light. This results when they fall back to a lower state. Pumping may be done using electrical, chemical, or nuclear energy.

The action of an oscillator that provides cyclic inputs to an oscillating reaction device. Note: Examples of pumping are the action that results in amplification of a signal by a parametric amplifier, and the action that provides a laser or maser with an input signal at the appropriate frequency to sustain stimulated emission.