Solid State Lasers 1:
Fundamental Physics

Overview

• This course describes the properties of lasers based on optically active ions doped into insulating host materials.  In Part I the fundamental physics concepts relevant to solid state lasers is discussed, while in Part II the application of these concepts to specific laser systems is reviewed. The emphasis of the course is on the materials and physics involved in solid state laser development and applications.

Intended Audience

• Scientists, engineers, and managers dealing with the design and application of systems utilizing solid state lasers.

Learning Objectives

To provide participants with:

• A knowledge of the variety of host materials and active ions available for use as solid state lasers and their range of properties;

• An understanding of how the spectroscopic properties of materials effects the laser operational parameters; and

• An understanding of the fundamental atomic and solid state physics concepts that determine the characteristics of a material relevant to laser operation.

• The understanding gained from this course should help informed decision making for those involved in research and development of new lasers or managers selecting laser systems for specific applications.

Course Outline

• Introduction and review of basic laser concepts and their relationship to the optical properties of materials. 

• Free ion energy levels—atomic physics, the coupling of angular momentum, Coulomb and exchange interactions.

• Energy levels of ions in a static crystal field—the use of group theory to account for the symmetry of the system.

• Interaction of ions with electromagnetic radiation—absorption and emission of photons and selection rules.

• Effects of lattice vibrations—absorption and emission of phonons to provide thermal quenching and changes in the widths and positions of spectral lines. 

• Effects of ion-ion interactions—the formation of exchange coupled pairs and energy transfer pumping and quenching.

Contact:

Ms. Cindy Robertson

520-626-4719

cindyr@optics.arizona.edu

 

This work of authorship identified as "Solid State Lasers 1: Fundamental Physics", (the Work) is Copyright 2007 by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR). This Notice must remain attached to the Work. The Work and any modified versions of the Work explicitly permitted below must be attributed to The University of Arizona. Unless explicitly permitted below, it is unlawful to reproduce, modify, distribute, perform (or execute), or display (or generate images through use of) the Work in its original or any modified form. THIS WORK IS PROVIDED "AS IS," AND ABOR MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. BY WAY OF EXAMPLE, BUT NOT LIMITATION, ABOR MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THE USE OF THE WORK WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY THIRD PARTY PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS OR OTHER RIGHTS. ABOR DOES NOT AGREE TO BEAR ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY USE OF THIS WORK. The names and trademarks of ABOR and The University of Arizona may not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to the Work without written prior permission. Nothing in this Notice confers any title to the Work. Within the limitations specified in this Notice, the following rights are granted to the recipients specified below: a right to perform the Work which, in the case of computer software, means a right to execute the software instructions contained in the Work; and a right to display the Work which, in the case of computer software, includes a right to display images or screens generated by the Work. Within the limitations specified in this Notice, the rights specified above are granted to any individual or organization that acquired the Work directly from The University of Arizona or its agent. Rights specified above are granted solely for the purposes of research and education, and do not permit incorporation of the Work, or any part of the Work, in a product or service offered for sale. This Notice applies to this Work only.  If this license was purchased as a SITE LICENSE, the license gives the above permissions to only those individuals employed by the Licensee at a single physical site of the Licensee, such as a single building, or a single set of substantially contiguous buildings, and who access the Work while at that site."

College of Optical Sciences
Meinel Building, The University of Arizona, 1630 East University Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. 85721-0094
All contents copyright © 2007 Arizona Board of Regents