Aim
The aim of the course is to teach the physical principles of lasers as well as to give an orientation of the different laser types and laser techniques.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

· understand important concepts such as stimulated absorption and emission, homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening, diffraction, electromagnetic propagation in a cavity, dispersion, amplification, mode-locking.

· be able to orient himself /herself among the different lasers for a given application.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

· be able to calculate conditions for lasing and amplification as well as propagation of a laser beam through optical components.

· be able to solve problems in Optics and Lasers

· have an increased experience for working in groups of two or four persons towards a common goal.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

· have an increased competence for presenting in writing an accomplished project.

Contents

• Ray optics, Gaussian beams, propagation through optical components.

• Resonator optics

• Photons and atoms

• Amplifiers

• Lasers

  Laboratory exercises: Helium Neon laser, Diode laser, Neodym laser.

Literature
Fundamental of Photonics
B. E. A. Saleh and M. C. Teich
Wiley Series in Pure and Applied Optics, John Wiley & sons, inc.
Chapters 3,9,12-14