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Population inversion is a fundamental concept in laser operation. It refers to a state where more atoms or molecules in a gain medium are in an excited energy level (upper state) than in the ground state (lower state). This situation is unusual, as normally, the lower energy level is more populated. To achieve population inversion, an external energy source, such as an electrical discharge or optical pumping, is used to excite the atoms or molecules to higher energy levels. This process creates a state where stimulated emission dominates over absorption, leading to the amplification of light and laser action.