Laser Fundamentals

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ISBN: 9780521541053 | 0521541050
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 7/21/2008

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Laser Fundamentals provides a clear and comprehensive introduction to the physical and engineering principles of laser operation and design. Simple explanations, based throughout on key underlying concepts, lead the reader logically from the basics of laser action to advanced topics in laser physics and engineering. Much new material has been added to this second edition, especially in the areas of solid-state lasers, semiconductor lasers, and laser cavities. The new edition contains a new chapter on laser operation above threshold, including extensive discussion of laser amplifiers. The clear explanations, worked examples, and many homework problems will make this book invaluable to undergraduate and first-year graduate students in science and engineering taking courses on lasers. The summaries of key types of lasers, the use of many unique theoretical descriptions, and the extensive bibliography will also make this a valuable reference work for researchers.

Preface to the Second Edition	p. xix
Preface to the First Edition	p. xxi
Acknowledgments	p. xxiii
Introduction	p. 1
Overview	p. 1
Introduction	p. 1
Definition of the Laser	p. 1
Simplicity of a Laser	p. 2
Unique Properties of a Laser	p. 2
The Laser Spectrum and Wavelengths	p. 3
A Brief History of the Laser	p. 4
Overview of the Book	p. 5
Fundamental Wave Properties of Light
Wave Nature of Light--The Interaction of Light with Materials	p. 9
Overview	p. 9
Maxwell's Equations	p. 9
Maxwell's Wave Equations	p. 12
Interaction of Electromagnetic Radiation (Light) with Matter	p. 23
Coherence	p. 37
References	p. 39
Problems	p. 39
Fundamental Quantum Properties of Light
Particle Nature of Light--Discrete Energy Levels	p. 45
Overview	p. 45
Bohr Theory of the Hydrogen Atom	p. 45
Quantum Theory of Atomic Energy Levels	p. 54
Angular Momentum of Atoms	p. 67
Energy Levels Associated with One-Electron Atoms	p. 70
Periodic Table of the Elements	p. 72
Energy Levels of Multi-Electron Atoms	p. 77
References	p. 86
Problems	p. 86
Radiative Transitions and Emission Linewidth	p. 89
Overview	p. 89
Decay of Excited States	p. 90
Emission Broadening and Linewidth Due to Radiative Decay	p. 101
Additional Emission-Broadening Processes	p. 105
Quantum Mechanical Description of Radiating Atoms	p. 121
References	p. 131
Problems	p. 131
Energy Levels and Radiative Properties of Molecules, Liquids, and Solids	p. 135
Overview	p. 135
Molecular Energy Levels and Spectra	p. 135
Liquid Energy Levels and Their Radiation Properties	p. 153
Energy Levels in Solids--Dielectric Laser Materials	p. 158
Energy Levels in Solids--Semiconductor Laser Materials	p. 168
References	p. 195
Problems	p. 195
Radiation and Thermal Equilibrium--Absorption and Stimulated Emission	p. 199
Overview	p. 199
Equilibrium	p. 199
Radiating Bodies	p. 201
Cavity Radiation	p. 207
Absorption and Stimulated Emission	p. 215
References	p. 221
Problems	p. 221
Laser Amplifiers
Conditions for Producing a Laser - Population Inversions, Gain, and Gain Saturation	p. 225
Overview	p. 225
Absorption and Gain	p. 225
Population Inversion (Necessary Condition for a Laser)	p. 234
Saturation Intensity (Sufficient Condition for a Laser)	p. 235
Development and Growth of a Laser Beam	p. 238
Exponential Growth Factor (Gain)	p. 245
Threshold Requirements for a Laser	p. 247
References	p. 253
Problems	p. 253
Laser Oscillation Above Threshold	p. 255
Overview	p. 255
Laser Gain Saturation	p. 255
Laser Beam Growth beyond the Saturation Intensity	p. 258
Optimization of Laser Output Power	p. 261
Energy Exchange between Upper Laser Level Population and Laser Photons	p. 266
Laser Output Fluctuations	p. 273
Laser Amplifiers	p. 279
References	p. 288
Problems	p. 288
Requirements for Obtaining Population Inversions	p. 290
Overview	p. 290
Inversions and Two-Level Systems	p. 290
Relative Decay Rates - Radiative versus Collisional	p. 292
Steady-State Inversions in Three- and Four-Level Systems	p. 293
Transient Population Inversions	p. 304
Processes That Inhibit or Destroy Inversions	p. 307
References	p. 319
Problems	p. 319
Laser Pumping Requirements and Techniques	p. 322
Overview	p. 322
Excitation or Pumping Threshold Requirements	p. 322
Pumping Pathways	p. 324
Specific Excitation Parameters Associated with Optical Pumping	p. 339
Specific Excitation Parameters Associated with Particle Pumping	p. 355
References	p. 363
Problems	p. 364
Laser Resonators
Laser Cavity Modes	p. 371
Overview	p. 371
Introduction	p. 371
Longitudinal Laser Cavity Modes	p. 372
Transverse Laser Cavity Modes	p. 384
Properties of Laser Modes	p. 396
References	p. 399
Problems	p. 399
Stable Laser Resonators and Gaussian Beams	p. 402
Overview	p. 402
Stable Curved Mirror Cavities	p. 402
Properties of Gaussian Beams	p. 410
Properties of Real Laser Beams	p. 421
Propagation of Gaussian Beams Using ABCD Matrices - Complex Beam Parameter	p. 425
References	p. 432
Problems	p. 432
Special Laser Cavities and Cavity Effects	p. 434
Overview	p. 434
Unstable Resonators	p. 434
Q-Switching	p. 439
Gain-Switching	p. 450
Mode-Locking	p. 451
Pulse Shortening Techniques	p. 462
Ring Lasers	p. 468
Complex Beam Parameter Analysis Applied to Multi-Mirror Laser Cavities	p. 470
Cavities for Producing Spectral Narrowing of Laser Output	p. 478
Laser Cavities Requiring Small-Diameter Gain Regions - Astigmatically Compensated Cavities	p. 484
Waveguide Cavities for Gas Lasers	p. 485
References	p. 486
Problems	p. 488
Specific Laser Systems
Laser Systems Involving Low-Density Gain Media	p. 491
Overview	p. 491
Atomic Gas Lasers	p. 491
Molecular Gas Lasers	p. 510
X-Ray Plasma Lasers	p. 525
Free-Electron Lasers	p. 535
References	p. 537
Laser Systems Involving High-Density Gain Media	p. 539
Overview	p. 539
Organic Dye Lasers	p. 539
Solid-State Lasers	p. 545
Semiconductor Diode Lasers	p. 576
References	p. 597
Frequency Multiplication of Laser Beams
Frequency Multiplication of Lasers and Other Nonlinear Optical Effects	p. 601
Overview	p. 601
Wave Propagation in an Anisotropic Crystal	p. 601
Polarization Response of Materials to Light	p. 603
Second-Order Nonlinear Optical Processes	p. 604
Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Processes	p. 607
Nonlinear Optical Materials	p. 610
Phase Matching	p. 610
Saturable Absorption	p. 615
Two-Photon Absorption	p. 617
Stimulated Raman Scattering	p. 618
Harmonic Generation in Gases	p. 619
References	p. 619
Appendix	p. 621
Index	p. 625
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

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Laser Fundamentals

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