Includes bibliographical references and index.

1. An Overview of Laser Technology -- What are Lasers Used For? -- Lasers in Telecommunications -- Lasers in Research and Medicine -- Lasers in Graphics and Grocery Stores -- Lasers in the Military -- Other Laser Applications -- 2. The Nature of Light -- Electromagnetic Waves -- Wave-Particle Duality-- 3. Refractive Index, Polarization, and Brightness -- Light Propagation -- Refractive Index -- Huygens' Principle -- Polarization -- Polarization Components -- Birefringence -- Brewster's Angle -- Brightness -- 4. Interference -- What is Optical Interference? -- Everyday Examples of Optical Interference -- Young's Double-Slit Experiment -- Fabry-Perot Interferometer-- 5. Laser Light -- Monochromaticity -- Directionality -- Coherence -- 6. Atoms, Molecules, and Energy Levels -- Atomic Energy Levels -- Spontaneous Emission and Stimulated Emission -- Molecular Energy Levels -- Some Subtle Refinements.

7. Energy Distributions and Laser Action -- Boltzmann Distribution -- Population Inversion -- L.A.S.E.R. -- Three-Level and Four-Level Lasers -- Pumping Mechanisms -- 8. Laser Resonators -- Why a Resonator? -- Circulating Power -- Gain and Loss -- Another Perspective on Saturation -- Relaxation Oscillations -- Oscillator-Amplifiers -- Unstable Resonators -- Laser Mirrors -- 9. Resonator Modes -- Spatial Energy Distributions -- Transverse Resonator Modes -- Gaussian-Beam Propagation -- A Stability Criterion -- Longitudinal Modes -- 10. Reducing Laser Bandwidth -- Measuring Laser Bandwidth -- Laser-Broadening Mechanisms -- Reducing Laser Bandwidth -- Single-Mode Lasers -- 11. Q-Switching -- Measuring the Output of Pulsed Lasers -- Q-Switching -- Types of Q-Switches -- Mechanical Q-Switches -- Acousto-Optic Q-Switches -- Electro-Optic Q-Switches -- Dye Q-Switches.

12. Cavity Dumping and Modelocking -- Cavity Dumping -- Partial Cavity Dumping -- Modelocking -- Time Domain -- Modelocking -- Frequency Domain -- Applications of Modelocked Lasers -- Types of Modelocked -- 13. Nonlinear Optics -- What is Nonlinear Optics? -- Second-Harmonic Generation -- Birefringent Phase Matching -- Quasi-Phasematching -- Intracavity Harmonic Generation -- Higher Harmonics -- Optical Parametric Oscillation -- Raman Lasers -- 14. Semiconductor Lasers -- Semiconductor Physics -- Modern Diode Lasers -- Diode Laser Bandwidth -- Wavelength of Diode Lasers -- Diode Arrays and Stacks -- Vertical Cavity, Surface-Emitting Lasers -- Optically Pumped Semiconductor Lasers -- Quantum Cascade -- 15. Solid-State Lasers -- Solid-State Laser Materials -- Diode-Pumped Solid State Lasers -- Lamp Pumping -- Thermal Issues in Solid-State Lasers -- Scaling Diode-Pumped Lasers to High Power.

16. Fiber Lasers -- Acceptance Angle and Numerical Aperture -- Doping Optical Fibers -- Pumping Fiber Lasers -- Fabricating Optical Fibers -- Feedback for Fiber Lasers -- High Power Fiber Lasers -- Large-Mode-Area Fibers -- Holey Fibers -- 17. Gas Lasers: Helium-Neon and Ion -- Gas-Laser Transitions -- Gas-Laser Media and Tubes -- Laser Excitation -- Optical Characteristics -- Wavelengths and Spectral Width -- He-Ne Lasers -- Principles of He-Ne Lasers -- Structure of He-Ne Lasers -- Ar-and Kr-Ion Lasers -- 18. Carbon Dioxide and Other Vibrational Lasers -- Vibrational Transitions -- Excitation -- Types of CO2 Lasers -- Optics for CO2 Lasers -- Chemical Lasers -- 19 Excimer Lasers -- Excimer Molecules -- Electrical Considerations -- Handling the Gases -- Applications of Excimer Lasers -- 20 Tunable and Ultrafast Lasers -- Dye Lasers -- Tunable Solid-State Lasers -- Nonlinear Converters -- Ultrafast Lasers -- Glossary -- Further Reading -- Index.

520 The only introductory text on the market today that explains the underlying physics and engineering applicable to all lasersAlthough lasers are becoming increasingly important in our high-tech environment, many of the technicians and engineers who install, operate, and maintain them have had little, if any, formal training in the field of electro-optics. This can result in less efficient usage of these important tools. Introduction to Laser Technology, Fourth Edition provides readers with a good understanding of what a laser is and what it can and cannot do. The book explains what types of laser to use for different purposes and how a laser can be modified to improve its performance in a given application. With a unique combination of clarity and technical depth, the book explains the characteristics and important applications of commercial lasers worldwide and discusses light and optics, the fundamental elements of lasers, and laser modification.

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