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This lecture covers the concepts of Einstein coefficients, population inversion, and light amplification. It explains the relationship between stimulated and spontaneous emission, the detailed balance at equilibrium, and the steady-state solutions of a two-level system. The lecture also delves into the transient problems of turning on and off a light source, the 3-level system, and the history of laser development. Additionally, it discusses the use of different laser media, such as gas lasers, solid-state gain materials, and dye lasers. The presentation concludes with the practical aspects of laser technology and the first commercial lasers in the 1960s.