Broadly tunable lasers have had, and continue to have, an enormous impact in many and diverse fields of science and technology. From a renaissance in spectroscopy to laser guide stars and laser cooling, the nexus is the tunable laser.
Tunable Laser Optics offers a transparent and comprehensive treatment of the physics of tunable laser optics based on a detailed description of first principles. Authored by a leading expert in the field, the book covers the optics and optical principles needed to build lasers, the optics instrumentation necessary to characterize laser emission, and laser-based optical instrumentation, addressing key topics such as Dirac’s notation, the interferometric equation, the uncertainty principle, pulse compression, and tunable narrow-linewidth lasers.
This revised, expanded, and improved Second Edition:
- Contains new and additional material on tunable lasers and quantum optics
- Explains the first principles of tunable laser optics in a clear and concise manner
- Presents an explicit exposition of the relevant theory, without the use of short cuts
- Employs numerous examples, case studies, and figures to illustrate important concepts
- Includes carefully designed problems of direct practical significance to stimulate application
Emphasizing the utilitarian aspects of the optics and theory, Tunable Laser Optics, Second Edition provides valuable insight into the optics and the trade-offs involved in the design and construction of tunable lasers and optical devices. It makes an ideal textbook for advanced undergraduate-level and graduate-level optics courses for physics and engineering students, as well as a handy reference for researchers and experimentalists.
List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
Author
Introduction to Lasers
Introduction
Historical Remarks
Lasers
Laser Optics
Laser Categories
Excitation Mechanisms and Rate Equations
Rate Equations
Dynamics of Multiple-Level System
Transition Probabilities and Cross Sections
The Schrödinger Equation and Semiconductor Lasers
A Heuristic Introduction to the Schrödinger Equation
The Schrödinger Equation via Dirac’s Notation
The Time-Independent Schrödinger Equation
Semiconductor Emission
Quantum Wells
Quantum Cascade Lasers
Quantum Dots
Introduction to Laser Resonators and Laser Cavities
Problems
Dirac Optics
Introduction
Dirac’s Notation in Optics
Interference
Example
Geometry of the N-Slit Interferometer
N-Slit Interferometer Experiment
Generalized Diffraction
Positive Diffraction
Positive and Negative Refraction
Reflection
The Cavity Linewidth Equation
Introduction to Angular Dispersion
Dirac and the Laser
Problems
The Uncertainty Principle in Optics
Approximate Derivation of the Uncertainty Principle
The Wave Character of Particles
The Diffraction Identity and the Uncertainty Principle
Alternative Versions of the Uncertainty Principle
Applications of the Uncertainty Principle in Optics
Beam Divergence
Beam Divergence and Astronomy
The Interferometric Equation and the Uncertainty Principle
Quantum Cryptography
Problems
The Physics of Multiple-Prism Optics
Introduction
Generalized Multiple-Prism Dispersion
Double-Pass Generalized Multiple-Prism Dispersion
Multiple Return-Pass Generalized Multiple- Prism Dispersion
Single-Prism Equations
Multiple-Prism Dispersion Linewidth Narrowing
Mechanics of Linewidth Narrowing in Optically Pumped Pulsed Laser Oscillators
Design of Zero-Dispersion Multiple-Prism Beam Expanders
Dispersion of Amici, or Compound, Prisms
Example
Multiple-Prism Dispersion and Pulse Compression
Example
Applications of Multiple-Prism Arrays
Problems
Polarization
Introduction
Maxwell Equations
Polarization and Reflection
Plane of Incidence
Jones Calculus
Example
Polarizing Prisms
Transmission Efficiency in Multiple-Prism Arrays
Induced Polarization in a Double-Prism Beam Expander
Double-Refraction Polarizers
Intensity Control of Laser Beams Using Polarization
Polarization Rotators
Birefringent Polarization Rotators
Broadband Prismatic Polarization Rotators
Problems
Laser Beam Propagation Matrices
Introduction
ABCD Propagation Matrices
Properties of ABCD Matrices
Survey of ABCD Matrices
The Astronomical Telescope
A Single Prism in Space
Multiple-Prism Beam Expanders
Telescopes in Series
Single Return-Pass Beam Divergence
Multiple Return-Pass Beam Divergence
Unstable Resonators
Higher Order Matrices
Problems
Narrow-Linewidth Tunable Laser Oscillators
Introduction
Transverse and Longitudinal Modes
Transverse Mode Structure
Longitudinal Mode Emission
Tunable Laser Oscillator Architectures
Tunable Laser Oscillators without Intracavity Beam Expansion
Tunable Laser Oscillators with Intracavity Beam Expansion
Widely Tunable Narrow-Linewidth External Cavity Semiconductor Lasers
Distributed Feedback Lasers
Wavelength Tuning Techniques
Prismatic Tuning Techniques
Diffractive Tuning Techniques
Synchronous Tuning Techniques
Bragg Gratings
Interferometric Tuning Techniques
Longitudinal Tuning Techniques for Laser Microcavities
Birefringent Filters
Polarization Matching
Design of Efficient Narrow-Linewidth Tunable Laser Oscillators
Useful Axioms for the Design of Narrow- Linewidth Tunable Laser Oscillators
Narrow-Linewidth Oscillator-Amplifiers
Laser-Pumped Narrow-Linewidth Oscillator- Amplifiers
Narrow-Linewidth MO Forced Oscillators
Discussion
Problems
Nonlinear Optics
Introduction
Introduction to Nonlinear Polarization
Generation of Frequency Harmonics
Second Harmonic and Sum-Frequency Generation
Difference-Frequency Generation and Optical Parametric Oscillation
The Refractive Index as a Function of Intensity
Optical Phase Conjugation
Raman Shifting
Optical Clockwork
Problems
Lasers and Their Emission Characteristics
Introduction
Gas Lasers
Pulsed Molecular Gas Lasers
Pulsed Atomic Metal Vapor Lasers
CW Gas Lasers
Organic Dye Lasers
Pulsed Organic Dye Lasers
CW Organic Dye Lasers
Solid-State Lasers
Ionic Solid-State Lasers
Transition Metal Solid-State Lasers
Color Center Lasers
Diode Laser-Pumped Fiber Lasers
Optical Parametric Oscillators
Semiconductor Lasers
Tunable Quantum Cascade Lasers
Tunable Quantum Dot Lasers
Additional Lasers
Problems
The N-Slit Laser Interferometer: Optical Architecture and Applications
Introduction
Optical Architecture of the NSLI
Beam Propagation in the NSLI
An Interferometric Computer
Secure Interferometric Communications in Free Space
Very Large NSLIs for Secure Interferometric Communications in Free Space
Applications of the NSLI
Digital Laser Micromeasurements
Light Modulation Measurements
Wavelength Meter and Broadband Interferograms
Imaging Laser Printers
Problems
Interferometry
Introduction
Two-Beam Interferometers
The Sagnac Interferometer
The Mach–Zehnder Interferometer
The Michelson Interferometer
Multiple-Beam Interferometers
The Hanbury Brown–Twiss Interferometer
The Fabry–Pérot Interferometer
Design of Fabry–Pérot Etalons
Coherent and Semicoherent Interferograms
Example
Interferometric Wavelength Meters
Fabry–Perot Wavelength Meters
Problems
Spectrometry
Introduction
Spectrometry
Prism Spectrometers
Diffraction Grating Spectrometers
Dispersive Wavelength Meters
Problems
Physical Constants and Optical Quantities
Fundamental Physical Constants
Conversion Quantities
Units of Optical Quantities
Dispersion Constants of Optical Materials
∂n/∂t of Laser and Optical Materials
Problems
References
Index
Biography
F. J. Duarte is a research physicist with Interferometric Optics, Rochester, New York, USA, and an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico, USA. His career as a laser physicist encompasses academia, industry, and the defense establishment. He holds a Ph.D in physics from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, where he was a student of the well-known quantum physicist J. C. Ward. Dr. Duarte is the author of the generalized multiple-prism dispersion theory, has made unique contributions to the physics and architecture of tunable laser oscillators, and pioneered the use of Dirac’s quantum notation in interferometry, oscillator physics, and classical optics.
"The book’s emphasis on the tuning optics provides the common thread connecting the wide range of laser systems discussed and makes it particularly useful to anyone using or constructing tunable laser systems. This Second Edition of Tunable Laser Optics extends the material presented to be applicable to quantum well, quantum cascade, and quantum dot lasers. These additions, as well as a discussion of Bragg gratings as a tuning element ensure this book is relevant to recent developments in laser physics."
—Dr Ian S Falconer, School of Physics, University of Sydney, Australia"I like the examples given in the text… Even a physicist not expert in laser optics can replicate the examples, test the theory, and design such good lab experiments for students… The topics presented are well referenced and several results are shown with pictures and numerical data. … I think that this book gives a thorough review of laser optics with many worked out examples … These kinds of detailed descriptions of the experiments are not easy to find in a textbook."
—Ernesto Gramsch Labra, University of Santiago de Chile"Dr. Duarte is the world’s foremost expert in the area of tunable lasers and has once again written what will become the standard reference for laser researchers. His use of the Dirac Optics notation for compact and concise tracking of the interferometers spectral tuning is not only brilliant physics but also brilliant pedagogically! … a definite must have for anyone interested in designing or understanding the physics and engineering of tunable laser systems. It will be a standard for both professionals and students alike!"
—Dr. Thomas Shay, University of New Mexico
"I want a copy of this book. Nowhere else is there such a clear and concise description of the Dirac-Feynman, and dare I add, Duarte, approach to diffraction and interference theory and applications. This is using quantum mechanics in a very pragmatic and useful way!"
—Dr. Travis S. Taylor, US Army Space and Missile Defense Command"… concise, accessible, and comprehensive. It starts from the essential physics, and mathematically builds the fundamental equations governing the phenomena in a clear manner, with outstanding use of figures to illustrate the various points. Incorporation of numerous examples of experimental data alongside the analytical calculations provides an excellent grounding for the reader, and sets the material apart from other presentations I have seen."
—Kathleen M. Vaeth, MicroGen Systems Inc.