This textbook is based on a course given by the first-named author to third and fourth year undergraduate students from physics, engineering physics and electrical engineering. The purpose is to introduce and explain some of the fundamental principles underlying laser beam control in optoelectronics, especially those in relation to optical anisotropy which is at the heart of many optical devices. The book attempts to give the reader the background knowledge needed to work in a laser, optoelectronic or photonic environment, and to manage and handle laser beam equipment with ease.

In this edition, recent research results on modern technologies and instruments relevant to laser optoelectronics have been added to each chapter. New material include: chirped pulse amplification for petawatt lasers; optical anisotropy; physical explanations for group velocity dispersion, group delay dispersion, and third order dispersion; an introduction of different types of laser systems; and both optical isotropy and anisotropy in different types of harmonic generation.

Theories based upon mode-locking and chirped pulse amplifications have become increasingly more important. It is thus necessary that students learn all these in a course devoted to laser optoelectronics. As such, Chapter 12 is now devoted to mode-locking and carrier-envelope phase locking. A new chapter, Chapter 13, which focuses on chirped pulse amplification has also been added.

Contents:

• Foreword


• About the Authors


• Introduction


• Maxwell's Equations, Wave Equation and Waves: A Review


• Snell's Law, Fresnel Equations, Brewster Angle and Critical Angle


• Resonator: A Geometrical View


• The Laser


• Paraxial Gaussian Wave Propagation and Modes


• Optical Anisotropy in a Lossless Medium


• Polarization, Its Manipulation and Jones Vectors


• Electric Field-Induced Anisotropy: Electro-Optics and Q-Switching


• Mechanical Force Induced Anisotropy and Acousto-Optics


• Magnetic Field-Induced Anisotropy


• Importance of Anisotropy in Second-Harmonic Generation


• Mode Locking and Carrier-Envelope Phase Locking


• Chirped Pulse Amplification


• Index

Readership: Undergraduate physics, engineering physics and electrical engineering courses devoted to laser optoelectronics. Graduated students and scientists working in the fields of physics, engineering physics and electrical engineering researching on laser optoelectronics may also benefit from the book.

Key Features:

• This book not only includes the basic aspect of laser optoelectronics, but also recent developments of modern technologies and instruments related to laser optoelectronics from the last decade, e.g., chirped pulse amplification for petawatt lasers, carrier-envelope phase locking, and optical isotropy and anisotropy in different types of harmonic generation


• Two Nobel Prices winning techniques, Chirped Pulse Amplification (2018) and Optical Frequency Comb (1999) are introduced into the current version. Chirped Pulse Amplification is highlighted in current research fields, although few textbooks provide detailed discription for Chirped Pulse Amplification till now. The Nobel Price material in recent years can stimulate the reading interest of students


• This book provides not only detailed processes of calculation for laser science, but also contains working principles and application cases for modern optical instruments, e.g. acousto-optical modulator, pulse stretcher and compressor, magneto-optical switch, et al. Apart from a textbook, it is also an extracurricular reading material, for students, scientists, and engineers