Description:

This course covers the fundamental operating principles of lasers including quantum processes, the concept of laser gain and loss, excitation (pump) mechanisms, and optical resonators. Emphasis will be placed on the development and use of the threshold gain equation which, along with small-signal gain, will be used to solve for many laser parameters. Finally gain saturation will be examined with application to predicting output power. An intensive laboratory component allows students to explore course material in a practical hands-on manner.