Solid State Lasers

Solid-State Lasers: A Graduate Text

Walter Koechner Michael Bass

Springer

Solid-State Lasers

Springer
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Advanced Texts in Physics
This program of advanced texts covers a broad spectrum of topics that are of current and emerging interest in physics. Each book provides a comprehensive and yet accessible introduction to afield at the forefront of modern research. As such, these texts are intended for senior undergraduate and graduate students at the M.S. and Ph.D. levels; however, research scientists seeking an introduction to particular areas of physics will also benefit from the titles in this collection.

Walter Koechner Michael Bass

Solid-State Lasers
A Graduate Text

With 252 Figures

1 SpringerWalter Koechner Fibertek, Inc. 510 Herndon Parkway Herndon, VA 20170 USA

Michael Bass School of Optics/CREOL University of Central Florida Orlando, FL 32816 USA

Cover illustration: Diode-pumped ND: YAG slab laser with positive branch unstable resonator and variable reflectivity output coupler (adapted from Figure 5.24, page 182).

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataKoechner, Walter, 1937– Solid state lasers : a graduate text / Walter Koechner, Michael Bass. p. cm.—(Advanced texts in physics) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-387-95590-9 (alk. paper) 1. Solid-state lasers. I. Bass, Michael, 1939–. II. Title III. Series. TA1705 .K633 2003 2002030568 621.36 61—dc21 ISBN 0-387-95590-9 Printed on acid-free paper. c 2003 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, orby similar of dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. Printed in the United States of America. 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 www.springer-ny.comSpringer-Verlag New York Berlin Heidelberg A member of BertelsmannSpringer Science+Business Media GmbH SPIN 10893625

Preface
This college textbook describes the theory, operating characteristics, and design features of solid-state lasers. The book is intended for students who want to familiarize themselves with solid-state lasers beyond the level of a general textbook. Although the book isaimed at students who are thinking of entering this fascinating field, it might also be used by practicing scientists and engineers who are changing their technical direction and want to learn more about this particular class of lasers. After studying the material presented in this book, the reader should be able to follow the scientific and technical literature and have an understanding of the basicprinciples and engineering issues of solid-state lasers, as well as an appreciation of the subtleties, richness of design, and operating possibilities afforded by these systems. Solid-state lasers and systems represent a one-billion dollar industry, and they are the dominant class of lasers for research, industrial, medical, and military applications. Given the importance of solid-state lasers, agraduate text is required that deals explicitly with these devices. Following the demonstration of the first laser over 40 years ago, an extraordinary number of different types of lasers have been invented using a wide variety of active media and pump techniques to create an inversion. As a sign of a maturing industry, laser research and engineering has developed into many specialized disciplines...