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

  1. Explain spontaneous and stimulated emission.
  2. Propagate Gaussian electromagnetic radiation,
  3. Understand optical resonator theory
  4. Use rate equations to describe atomic radiation, laser oscillation, and amplification.
  5. Use beam modifiers, modulators, and non-linear optical devices to investigate laser characteristics.
  6. Describe properties of different types of lasers and their application areas.
  1. Introduction
    • Safety
    • History
    • Laser beam properties
    • Lab:

  2. Interaction of atoms and radiation
    • Spontaneous emission
    • Stimulated emission
    • Line broadening
    • Lab:

  3. Semiconductors
    • Molecular Energy Levels
    • Electronic States
    • Quantum Wells
    • Lab:

  4. Ray and wave propagation
    • Matrix Formulation
    • Diffraction Optics
    • Gaussian Beams
    • Lab:

  5. Passive Optical Resonators
    • Basic Geometries
    • Eigenmodes
    • Stability Condition
    • Lab:

  6. Pumping Processes
    • Incoherent Light Pumping
    • Laser Pumping
    • Electrical Pumping
    • Lab:

  7. Continuous Wave Lasers
    • Rate Equations
    • 3 and 4 level lasers
    • Multi-mode and Single-mode
    • Lab:

  8. Transient laser behavior
    • Q-switching
    • Gain switching
    • Mode Locking
    • Lab:

  9. Various Lasers
    • Solid state
    • Dye
    • Semiconductor
    • Lab: xxx

  10. Intracavity devices
    • Acousto and electro-optic
    • Etalons, telescopes
    • Transverse mode selection
    • Lab: