PHYS 707 –Top/Physics Adv Optc - Fall 2011
Lecture: M W F,
Textbook: Lasers,
Siegman
Suggested References: Laser Electronics, Verdeyen;
Quantum Electronics, Yariv; Principles of
Lasers, Svelto; Optics, Hecht; Principles
of Optics, Born and Wolf;
Instructor: Dr. Brian R.
Prerequisites: A solid
foundation in undergraduate-level optics with basic knowledge of quantum
mechanics and electromagnetism.
Course Objective: The objective
of this course is to provide a semi-classical description of laser
physics. The first half of the class
will focus on “a fully accurate, detailed, and physically meaningful understanding
of lasers”. The operational properties
of lasers, such as optical beams and resonators, will be covered midway through
the course. The course will conclude on
advanced laser topics such as laser dynamics and mode-locking.
Course Reading: It is important to read the assigned sections before the lecture. This will make the lecture more effective and
is the first step to mastery of the course material. The course will cover a lot of material so
keeping up with the reading assignments will be essential.
Grading:
|
Exam 1 |
100 pts |
200 pts |
|
Exam 2 |
100 pts |
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|
Homework |
425 pts |
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|
Laboratories |
3 labs ´25 pts = 75 pts |
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Final Exam |
300 pts |
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Total possible |
1000 pts |
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Exams: There will be
two in-class exams during the semester and one cumulative final exam.
Homework: Homework will
be in the form of traditional problems based on lecture material. Completing the homework will be crucial to
acquire a sufficient understanding of the course material. Working on the homework in groups on the homework
is encouraged but you should be able to write up the assignment on your
own. In the case when you get stuck on a
problem, credit will be given for a statement indicating how your solution is
incorrect.
Late Homework: No project will be accepted after its due
date unless prior arrangements have been made.
Laboratories: There will be
two to three laboratory activities covering specific course material. The purpose of the lab is to create an active
learning environment to further stress important course material. Grades will be based on performance, results,
and worksheet answers. Extra credit lab
activities may be given.
Class Material: Extra class materials are posted on K‑state Online, including papers and tutorials.
Disabilities: If you have
any condition such as a physical or learning disability, which will make it
difficult for you to carry out the work as I have outlined it or which will
require academic accommodations, please notify me and contact the Disabled
Students Office (Holton 202), in the first two weeks of the course.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism and
cheating are serious offenses and may be punished by failure on the exam, paper
or project; failure in the course; and/or expulsion from the University. For
more information refer to the “Academic Dishonesty” policy in K-State
Undergraduate Catalog and the Undergraduate Honor System Policy on the
Provost’s web page: http://www.ksu.edu/honor/.
Copyright: This
syllabus and all lectures copyright August 2011 by Brian R.
Tentative Course Schedule, Lasers, PHYS 707 Fall 2011
|
Lecture # and Date |
Topic |
Sections |
Homework |
Lab |
|
|
BASIC LASER PHYSICS |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 1. 8/22 (M) |
Class
introduction |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 2. 8/24 (W) |
Introduction
to laser physics |
1.1-1.5,
1.7-1.9 |
|
|
|
Lecture 3. 8/26 (F) |
The classical oscillator model |
2.1-2.4 |
|
|
|
Lecture 4. 8/29 (M) |
Stimulated transmissions and electric dipole
transitions |
2.5,
3.1-3.2, 3.6 |
|
|
|
Lecture 5. 8/31 (W) |
Line
broadening mechanisms |
3.7,
4.1 |
|
|
|
Lecture 6. 9/2 (F) |
Atomic rate equations |
4.1-4.3 |
HW
1 due |
|
|
9/5 (M) |
|
|
|
|
|
Lecture 7. 9/7 (W) |
Two level system and saturation |
4.4-4.5 |
|
|
|
Lecture 8. 9/9 (F) |
Mulit-level systems |
4.6 |
|
|
|
Lecture 9. 9/12 (M) |
Laser pumping and population inversion |
6.1-6.2 |
HW
2 due |
|
|
Lecture 10. 9/14 (W) |
Stimulated transition cross-sections |
7.1-7.4 |
|
|
|
Lecture 11. 9/16 (F) |
Cross sections, gain narrowing |
7.4-7.6 |
|
|
|
Lecture 12. 9/19 (M) |
Simple model for saturated amplification |
7.6-7.7,
8.1 |
HW
3 due |
|
|
Lecture 13. 9/21 (W) |
Laser
amplification and transient response |
9.1-9.3 |
|
|
|
Lecture 14. 9/23 (F) |
Laser
mirrors and feedback |
11.1-11.4 |
|
|
|
Lecture 15. 9/26 (M) |
Approaching
threshold |
11.5-11.7 |
HW
4 due |
|
|
Lecture 16. 9/28 (W) |
Fundamentals
of laser oscillation |
12.1-12.2 |
|
|
|
Lecture 17. 9/30 (F) |
Fundamentals
of laser oscillation |
12.3-12.4 |
|
|
|
Lecture 18. 10/3 (M) |
Oscillation
dynamics and threshold |
13.1-13.3 |
HW
5 due |
|
|
Lecture 19. 10/5 (W) |
Oscillation
dynamics and threshold |
13.3-13.5 |
|
|
|
Lecture 20. 10/7 (F) |
Example:
Er-doped fiber amplifier and laser |
|
|
Lab
1 |
|
Lecture 21. 10/10 (M) |
Example:
the He-Ne laser |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 22. 10/12 (W) |
Catch up day |
|
|
|
|
10/14 (F) |
Exam1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
OPTICAL
BEAMS, RESONATORS, AND PULSES |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 23. 10/17 (M) |
Optical
beams and review of wave optics |
14.1-14.3 |
|
Lab
2 |
|
Lecture 24. 10/19 (W) |
Gaussian
beams propagation |
16.1-16.4 |
|
|
|
Lecture 25. 10/21 (F) |
Gaussian
beams propagation: an example |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 26. 10/24 (M) |
Stable
two mirror resonators |
19.1-19.3 |
HW
6 due |
|
|
Lecture 27. 10/26 (W) |
Example:
Resonator for the He-Ne Laser |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 28. 10/28 (F) |
Example:
the continuous wave Ti:sapphire laser |
|
|
Drop
date |
|
Lecture 29. 10/31 (M) |
Signals
in time and frequency: the Fourier transform |
|
HW
7 due |
|
|
Lecture 30. 11/2 (W) |
Linear pulse propagation |
9.3-9.5 |
|
|
|
Lecture 31. 11/4 (F) |
Catch up day |
|
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LASER DYNAMICS |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 32. 11/7 (M) |
Laser
Dynamics |
24.1-24.3 |
HW
8 due |
|
|
Lecture 33. 11/9 (W) |
Cavity
and atomic rate equations |
24.4-24.5 |
|
|
|
Lecture 34. 11/11 (F) |
Relaxation
oscillations |
25.1-25.2 |
|
|
|
Lecture 35. 11/14 (M) |
Laser
Q-Switching |
26.1-26.3 |
|
|
|
Lecture 36. 11/16 (W) |
Active
mode coupling |
27.1-27.3 |
|
|
|
11/18 (F) |
Exam
2 |
|
|
|
|
Week of 11/21 |
Fall Break |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 37. 11/28 (M) |
Active
mode coupling |
27.5-27.6 |
|
Lab
3 |
|
Lecture 38. 11/30 (W) |
Passive
mode-locking and self amplitude modulation |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 39. 12/2 (F) |
Example:
the mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 40. 12/5 (M) |
Self amplitude modulation, the frequency comb |
28.1,
28.2 |
HW
9 due |
|
|
Lecture 41. 12/7 (W) |
Example:
the mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser |
|
|
|
|
Lecture 42. 12/9 (F) |
Catch
up day |
|
|
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Final Exam: Friday December 16, 4:10 PM – 6:00 PM |
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