Introduction to laser technology 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 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 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 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 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