Introduction to Laser Technology

by Hitz, C. Breck; Ewing, James J.; Hecht, Jeff

• ISBN13: 9780470916209
• ISBN10: 0470916206
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781118219485
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-04-10
• Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Press
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

The only introductory text to explain the underlying physics and engineering applicable to all lasers, Introduction to Laser Technology presents a unique combination of clarity and technical depth. The book features an introductory chapter explaining the characteristics and important applications of commercial lasers worldwide as well as discussions on light and optics, the fundamental elements of lasers, and laser modification. This fourth edition includes a new chapter on fiber lasers, a discussion of arrays in the semiconductor, and new end-of-chapter problems for technicians, laser-safety officers, and students.

Author Biography

C. Breck Hitz is Executive Director of LEOMA, the Laser and Electro-Optics Manufacturers' Association. He was the founding/editor of Lasers Applications magazine, and a former editor of Laser Focus World. J.J. EWING is the President of Ewing Technology Associates, Inc. His pioneering work on high-efficiency, ultraviolet lasers led to the discovery and development of the rare gas halide excimer lasers. Jeff Hect is a contributing editor to Laser Focus World and correspondent for New Scientist magazine. He-was a cofounder, and contributing editor to Lasers Applications. Mr. Hecht is the author often books, including Understanding Lasers: An Entry -Level Guide Wiley-IEEE Press.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. iX
Acknowledgments	p. xi
An Overview of Laser Technology	p. 1
What are Lasers Used For?	p. 2
Lasers in Telecommunications	p. 3
Lasers in Research and Medicine	p. 4
Lasers in Graphics and Grocery Stores	p. 4
Lasers in the Military	p. 5
Other Laser Applications	p. 5
The Nature of Light	p. 7
Electromagnetic Waves	p. 7
Wave-Particle Duality	p. 10
Refractive Index, Polarization, and Brightness	p. 17
Light Propagation-Refractive Index	p. 17
Huygens' Principle	p. 21
Polarization	p. 24
Polarization Components	p. 27
Birefringence	p. 30
Brewster's Angle	p. 36
Brightness	p. 42
Interference	p. 43
What is Optical Interference?	p. 43
Everyday Examples of Optical Interference	p. 45
Young's Double-Slit Experiment	p. 46
Fabry Perot Interferometer	p. 49
Laser Light	p. 55
Monochromaticity	p. 55
Directionality	p. 56
Coherence	p. 60
Atoms, Molecules, and Energy Levels	p. 63
Atomic Energy Levels	p. 63
Spontaneous Emission and Stimulated Emission	p. 65
Molecular Energy Levels	p. 66
Some Subtle Refinements	p. 64
Energy Distributions and Laser Action	p. 73
Boltzmann Distribution	p. 73
Population Inversion	p. 76
L.A.S.E.R.	p. 79
Three-Level and Four-Level Lasers	p. 82
Pumping Mechanisms	p. 83
Laser Resonators	p. 87
Why a Resonator?	p. 87
Circulating Power	p. 88
Gain and Loss	p. 90
Another Perspective on Saturation	p. 91
Relaxation Oscillations	p. 93
Oscillator-Amplifiers	p. 94
Unstable Resonators	p. 95
Laser Mirrors	p. 95
Resonator Modes	p. 99
Spatial Energy Distributions	p. 99
Transverse Resonator Modes	p. 100
Gaussian-Beam Propagation	p. 101
A Stability Criterion	p. 107
Longitudinal Modes	p. 109
Reducing Laser Bandwidth	p. 113
Measuring Laser Bandwidth	p. 113
Laser-Broadening Mechanisms	p. 116
Reducing Laser Bandwidth	p. 118
Single-Mode Lasers	p. 122
Q-Switching	p. 129
Measuring the Output of Pulsed Lasers	p. 129
Q-Switching	p. 135
Types of Q-Switches	p. 135
Mechanical Q-Switches	p. 135
A-0 Q-Switches	p. 136
E-0 Q-Switches	p. 133
Dye Q-Switches	p. 149
Cavity Dumping and Modelocking	p. 143
Cavity Dumping	p. 143
Partial Cavity Dumping	p. 147
Modelocking-Time Domain	p. 147
Modelocking-Frequency Domain	p. 151
Applications of Modelocked Lasers	p. 152
Types of Modelocked Lasers	p. 153
Nonlinear Optics	p. 155
What is Nonlinear Optics?	p. 155
Second-Harmonic Generation	p. 158
Birefringent Phase Matching	p. 161
Quasi-Phasematching	p. 165
Intracavity Harmonic Generation	p. 168
Higher Harmonics	p. 169
Optical Parametric Oscillation	p. 170
Raman lasers	p. 172
Semiconductor Lasers	p. 175
Semiconductor Physics	p. 175
Modern Diode Lasers	p. 181
Diode Laser Bandwidth	p. 182
Wavelength of Diode Lasers	p. 183
Diode Arrays and Stacks	p. 185
Vertical Cavity, Surface-Emitting Lasers	p. 185
Optically Pumped Semiconductor Lasers	p. 187
Quantum Cascade Lasers	p. 189
Solid-State Lasers	p. 191
Solid-State Laser Materials	p. 191
Diode-Pumped Solid State Lasers	p. 195
Diode-Pumping Geometry	p. 199
Pump Diodes, Pulsing, and Packaging	p. 199
Lamp Pumping	p. 201
Thermal Issues in Solid-State Lasers	p. 205
Scaling Diode-Pumped Lasers to High Power	p. 207
Fiber Lasers	p. 215
Acceptance Angle and Numerical Aperture	p. 215
Doping Optical Fibers	p. 216
Pumping Fiber Lasers	p. 217
Fabricating Optical Fibers	p. 218
Feedback for Fiber Lasers	p. 219
High Power Fiber Lasers	p. 220
Large-Mode-Area Fibers	p. 221
Holey Fibers	p. 222
Gas lasers: Helium-Neon and Ion	p. 225
Gas-Laser Transitions	p. 226
Gas-Laser Media and Tubes	p. 227
Laser Excitation	p. 229
Optical Characteristics	p. 230
Wavelengths and Spectral Width	p. 230
He-Ne Lasers	p. 232
Principles of He-Ne Lasers	p. 232
Structure of He-Ne Lasers	p. 234
Ar and Kr-Ion Lasers	p. 235
Carbon Dioxide and Other Vibrational Lasers	p. 239
Vibrational Transitions	p. 240
Excitation	p. 242
Types of C02 Lasers	p. 243
Optics for C02 Lasers	p. 246
Chemical Lasers	p. 246
Excimer Lasers	p. 249
Excimer Molecules	p. 251
Electrical Considerations	p. 253
Handling the Gases	p. 255
Applications of Excimer Lasers	p. 259
Tunable and Ultrafast Lasers	p. 263
Dye Lasers	p. 265
Tunable Solid-State Lasers	p. 268
Nonlinear Converters	p. 271
Ultrafast Lasers	p. 274
Glossary	p. 283
Further Reading	p. 291
Index	p. 293
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.