What type of interaction occurs between photons and excited atoms?

The interaction between photons and excited atoms can be understood through the concept of stimulated emission, which is fundamental in laser technology. When an atom is in an excited state, it has absorbed energy and has higher energy electrons. If a photon of the right energy interacts with that excited atom, it can stimulate the atom to release its energy in the form of a photon. This emitted photon is identical in wavelength and phase to the incident photon, which is why the answer is that emission of new identical photons occurs.

This process is essential in laser operations, where stimulated emission is exploited to create coherent light. In contrast, other options describe interactions that do not typically facilitate the coherent light amplification characteristic of lasers. For instance, a potential absorption of photons would lead to increased energy but does not reflect the nature of stimulated emission. Understanding this mechanism is crucial in grasping the principles behind laser technology and atomic interactions.