Catalog Description
Laser radiation properties, laser cavities, coherence, atomic spectra, Boltzmann statistics, pumping rate, power gain, threshold conditions, resonator stability, beam shape, mode structure, beam modification with intracavity elements. Prerequisite: Physical Optics EE450
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, all students should be able to
- Explain spontaneous and stimulated emission.
- Propagate Gaussian electromagnetic radiation,
- Understand optical resonator theory
- Use rate equations to describe atomic radiation, laser oscillation, and amplification.
- Use beam modifiers, modulators, and non-linear optical devices to investigate laser characteristics.
- Describe properties of different types of lasers and their application areas.
- Introduction
- Safety
- History
- Laser beam properties
- Lab:
- Interaction of atoms and radiation
- Spontaneous emission
- Stimulated emission
- Line broadening
- Lab:
- Semiconductors
- Molecular Energy Levels
- Electronic States
- Quantum Wells
- Lab:
- Ray and wave propagation
- Matrix Formulation
- Diffraction Optics
- Gaussian Beams
- Lab:
- Passive Optical Resonators
- Basic Geometries
- Eigenmodes
- Stability Condition
- Lab:
- Pumping Processes
- Incoherent Light Pumping
- Laser Pumping
- Electrical Pumping
- Lab:
- Continuous Wave Lasers
- Rate Equations
- 3 and 4 level lasers
- Multi-mode and Single-mode
- Lab:
- Transient laser behavior
- Q-switching
- Gain switching
- Mode Locking
- Lab:
- Various Lasers
- Solid state
- Dye
- Semiconductor
- Lab: xxx
- Intracavity devices
- Acousto and electro-optic
- Etalons, telescopes
- Transverse mode selection
- Lab: