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  • © 1998

Principles of Lasers

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxi
  2. Introductory Concepts

    • Orazio Svelto
    Pages 1-15
  3. Passive Optical Resonators

    • Orazio Svelto
    Pages 161-200
  4. Pumping Processes

    • Orazio Svelto
    Pages 201-248
  5. Continuous Wave Laser Behavior

    • Orazio Svelto
    Pages 249-304
  6. Transient Laser Behavior

    • Orazio Svelto
    Pages 305-364
  7. Solid-State, Dye, and Semiconductor Lasers

    • Orazio Svelto
    Pages 365-418
  8. Properties of Laser Beams

    • Orazio Svelto
    Pages 463-492
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 535-605

About this book

This book is motivated by the very favorable reception given to the previous editions as well as by the considerable range of new developments in the laser field since the publication of the third edition in 1989. These new developments include, among others, quantum-well and muitiple-quantum-welliasers, diode-pumped solid-state lasers, new concepts for both stable and unstable resonators, femtosecond lasers, ultra-high-brightness lasers, etc. This edition thus represents a radically revised version of the preceding edition, amounting essentially to a new book in its own right. However, the basic aim has remained the same, namely to provide a broad and unified description of laser behavior at the simplest level which is compatible with a correct physical understanding. The book is therefore intended as a textbook for a senior-level or first-year graduate course and/or as a reference book. The most relevant additions or changes to this edition can be summarized as follows: 1. A much-more detailed description of Amplified Spontaneous Emission has been given (Chapter 2) and a novel simplified treatment of this phenomenon, both for homogeneous and inhomogeneous lines, has been introduced (Appendix C). 2. A major fraction of a new chapter (Chapter 3) is dedicated to the interaction of radiation with semiconductor media, either in a bulk form or in a quantum-confined structure (quantum-well, quantum-wire and quantum dot). 3.

Reviews

From the reviews of earlier editions:

“Certainly, the student who is led into the laser field by this text is lucky. The text is excellent and filled with appropriate illustrations. The questions are also helpful as they highlight the important topics. All important types of lasers are considered and for each type the proper background is developed. For many years, this book has been the standard against which other textbooks in this field were measured, mostly unfavourably. This edition will certainly retain its top place.” (Optics & Laser Technology, 31, 1999)

“Professor Svelto is himself a longtime laser pioneer and his text shows the breadth of his broad acquaintance with all aspects of the field … Anyone mastering the contents of this book will be well prepared to understand advanced treatises and research papers in laser science and technology.” (Arthur L. Schawlow, 1981 Nobel Laureate in Physics)

“Already well established as a self-contained introduction to the physics and technology of lasers … Professor Svelto’s book, in this lucid translation by David Hanna, can be strongly recommended for self-study or teaching at the final-year undergraduate or first-year post-graduate levels.” (Physics Bulletin)

“A thorough understanding of this book in conjunction with one of the existing volumes on laser safety will go a long way in providing the health physicist with the understanding he needs … Highly recommended.” (Health Physics)

“Introduces laser science and technology with the accessibility appropriate for the nonspecialist and the enthusiasm of the pioneer.” (Laser Focus)

“A very good introduction to laser theory and practice … aimed at upper-level undergraduate students. It is logically organized and easy to read … Most of the basic mathematical framework needed to understand this evolving field is presented. Every chapter contains agood set of problems, answers to some of which are given in the back.” (Sci-Tech News)

Authors and Affiliations

  • Polytechnic Institute of Milan and National Research Council, Milan, Italy

    Orazio Svelto

About the author

Orazio Svelto is Professor of Quantum Electronics at the Polytechnic Institute of Milan and Director of the Quantum Electronics Center of the Italian National Research Council. His research has covered a wide range of activity in the field of laser physics and quantum electronics, starting from the very beginning of these disciplines. This activity includes ultrashort-pulse generation and applications, development of laser resonators and mode-selection techniques, laser applications in biology and medicine, and development of solid-state lasers. Professor Svelto is the author of more than 150 scientific papers and his researches have been the subject of more than 50 invited papers and international conferences. He has served as a program chair of the IX International Quantum Electronics Conference (1976), as a chair of the European program committee for CLEO ’85 and CLEO ’90, and he was general co-chair for the first CLEO-Europe Conference (1994). He is an elected member of the Italian "Accademia dei XL" and a Fellow of the IEEE.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 74.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access