Syllabus year 2006

LASER TECHNOLOGYFAF112
Laserteknik

Credits: 4. Grading scale: TH. Optional for: C3, D3, E2, M3. Course coordinator: Sven-Göran Pettersson, sgp@fysik.lth.se, Fysik, kurslaboratoriet. Prerequisites: FAF024/FAF106 Fundamental Physics or FAF231 Physics - Waves and Wave Propagation or FAF260 Applied Optics and Waves. Assessment: Written examination and laboratory work. The final grade equals the grade obtained on the written examination. Homepage: http://kurslab-atom.fysik.lth.se/FElaserteknik/index.htm.

Aim
The goal of this course is to understand the physical principles of laser physics and laser techniques.

The participants will know the main types of lasers and their most important applications. They will also learn to make simple adjustments and measurement with the different lasers.

It aims at providing basic training in the use of optical systems with lasers.

Contents
The physical principles of laser physics and technology. The interaction between radiation and media. Pumping processes. Optical resonators, Gaussian beams. Continuous and pulse lasers. The most common types of lasers. Properties of laser beams. Non-linear optics, crystal optics and the generation of new frequencies. Lenses, mirrors and detectors. Measurements of distance velocity, rotation, etc. Fibre-optic communication. Laser writers. Optical memories. Holography. Medical applications.

Four laboratory exercises are within the course. They are intended to give a basic knowledge of how lasers work and what the properties of laser beams are. They will also show how lasers can be used in different applications.

Literature
Borgström S, Pettersson S-G: Kompendium i laserteknik. Sigmatryck.