An Introduction to Laser Physics and Applications

About this course

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation –LASERS introduced to the scientific community in 1958 (as a theoretical concept) and in 1960’s as an operational device. Since then more than 33 Nobel Prizes in Physics have been awarded for works directly related to LASER Technology (with the last one in 2018). Today there is no activity that does not involve Laser light

The objectives of the course (offered for undergraduate and postgraduate students) are the following:

• Develop an understanding of the special properties of laser light; monochromaticity, directionality, spatial & temporal coherence
• To offer the understanding of the building blocks of a laser device
• Develop the understanding of the operational principles of a laser device: (a) Threshold Level; (b)Small Gain Coefficient; (c) Gain Saturation; (d) Steady State Condition Operation; (e) Spectral Broadening; (f) Laser Beam Propagation through vacuum and through optical elements; and (g) Pulsed Operation
• The Introduction of various Laser Systems
• The Introduction of various Laser Applications

Expected learning outcomes

The Learning Outcomes of the module ‘An Introduction to Laser Physics and Applications’ are the following:

• to be able to explain how does a laser device operate
• to be able to design a laser system
• to be able to calculate various parameters related to a laser configuration: laser beam size, laser intensity, tunning range

Indicative Syllabus

An indicative syllabus of the course follows:

1.An Introduction of Lasers & Applications
2.The Light Matter Interaction Processes, the Einstein Rate Equations and the requested Population Inversion
3.The Electron Harmonic Oscillator Model
4.The Small Gain Coefficient & Related Losses
5.The Pumping Schemes
6.The Role of the Optical Oscillator
7.The Broadening Mechanisms: Homogeneous and Inhomogeneous Broadening
8.Longitudinal & Transverse Laser Modes
9.The Gain Saturation (Spatial Hole Burning and the Lamb Deep)
10.Tunable Laser Systems
11.Gaussian Beams and the ABCD Matrix Method
12.Generation of Laser Pulses: The Q-Switching Method
13.Generation of Laser Pulses: The Mode Locking Technique
14.Modern Laser Systems I
15.Modern Laser Systems II
16.Laser Applications in Medicine
17.Laser Applications in Nanoelectronics
18.Laser Applications in Energy Generation: Laser Fusion
19.Laser Applications in Engineering: Laser 20.D Printing and Laser Biomimetics
21.Laser Applications in Optical Communications

Teaching / Learning Methodology

Lectures (online, face to face): Every week three hours

Seminars: One seminar per two weeks where an external/invited speakers interacts with our students in Laser Applications