A comprehensive introduction to the operating principles and application of lasers

Although the basic principles of lasers remain unchanged, the ever-increasing role of optical physics and engineering in basic science and in technology has caused a significant shift in the types of laser systems of greatest interest. Laser Physics-which is an updated, reconfigured, and expanded edition of the previously published Lasers-reflects the importance of lasers and their applications in a remarkably wide range of fields.

Discussions and features include:

• Absorption, emission, and dispersion of light
• Laser principles applied to specific lasers
• Photon counting and optical coherence
• Dispersion, chirping, and modes in optical fibers
• Optical pumping, spin-polarized atoms, and atomic clocks
• Fiber amplifiers and lasers
• Laser cooling and trapping
• Laser propagation in resonant media and in turbulent atmospheres
• Elements of nonlinear optics
• Generation of ultrashort pulses and frequency combs and applications
• Lasers in lidar, adaptive optics, and medicine
• Semiconductor lasers and optical communications

Complete with end-of-chapter problems for students, Laser Physics is an excellent textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in electrical engineering, physics, and optics. It also serves as a valuable reference for professionals working in industry and government laboratories.