Handbook of Solid-State Lasers
Materials, Systems and Applications
Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials Series

Coordinators: Denker B, Shklovsky E

Language: English
Cover of the book Handbook of Solid-State Lasers

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688 p. · 15.5x23.2 cm · Hardback
Solid-state lasers which offer multiple desirable qualities, including enhanced reliability, robustness, efficiency and wavelength diversity, are absolutely indispensable for many applications. The Handbook of solid-state lasers reviews the key materials, processes and applications of solid-state lasers across a wide range of fields.Part one begins by reviewing solid-state laser materials. Fluoride laser crystals, oxide laser ceramics, crystals and fluoride laser ceramics doped by rare earth and transition metal ions are discussed alongside neodymium, erbium and ytterbium laser glasses, and nonlinear crystals for solid-state lasers. Part two then goes on to explore solid-state laser systems and their applications, beginning with a discussion of the principles, powering and operation regimes for solid-state lasers. The use of neodymium-doped materials is considered, followed by system sizing issues with diode-pumped quasi-three level materials, erbium glass lasers, and microchip, fiber, Raman and cryogenic lasers. Laser mid-infrared systems, laser induced breakdown spectroscope and the clinical applications of surgical solid-state lasers are also explored. The use of solid-state lasers in defense programs is then reviewed, before the book concludes by presenting some environmental applications of solid-state lasers.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, the Handbook of solid-state lasers is an authoritative guide for all those involved in the design and application of this technology, including laser and materials scientists and engineers, medical and military professionals, environmental researchers, and academics working in this field.

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Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials

Foreword

Preface

Part I: Solid-state laser materials

Chapter 1: Oxide laser crystals doped with rare earth and transition metal ions

Abstract:

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Laser-active ions

1.3 Host lattices

1.4 Laser medium geometry

1.5 Rare earth-doped sesquioxides

1.6 Mode-locked sesquioxide lasers

1.7 Future trends

Chapter 2: Fluoride laser crystals

Abstract:

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Crystal growth, structural, optical and thermo-mechanical properties of the most important fluoride crystals

2.3 Pr3 + doped crystals for RGB video-projection and quantum information experiments

2.4 Yb3+ doped fluorides for ultra-short and high-power laser chains

2.5 Undoped crystals for nonlinear optics and ultra-short pulse lasers

Chapter 3: Oxide laser ceramics

Abstract:

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Ceramics preparation

3.3 Physical properties of oxide laser ceramics

3.4 Solid-state lasers using oxide ceramic elements

3.5 Conclusion

3.6 Acknowledgements

Chapter 4: Fluoride laser ceramics

Abstract:

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Fluoride powders: chemistry problems and relevant technology processes

4.3 Fluoride ceramics as optical medium

4.4 Development of the fluoride laser ceramics synthesis protocol

4.5 Microstructure, spectral luminescence and lasing properties

4.6 CaF2:Yb3 + system

4.7 Prospective compositions for fluoride laser ceramics

4.8 Conclusion

4.9 Acknowledgments

4.10 Note to the reader

Chapter 5: Neodymium, erbium and ytterbium laser glasses

Abstract:

5.1 Introduction

5.2 The history of laser glasses

5.3 Commercial laser glasses

5.4 Modern neodymium and erbium laser glasses

5.5 Ytterbium glasses

5.6 Future trends in glass-based laser materials

Chapter 6: Nonlinear crystals for solid-state lasers

Abstract:

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Second-order frequency conversion

6.3 Nonlinear crystal development

6.4 Nonlinear crystals: current status and future trends

6.5 Sources of further information and advice

Part II: Solid-state laser systems and their applications

Chapter 7: Principles of solid-state lasers

Abstract:

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Amplification of radiation

7.3 Optical amplifiers

7.4 Laser resonators

7.5 Model of laser operation

7.6 Conclusion

Chapter 8: Powering solid-state lasers

Abstract:

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Safety

8.3 Flashlamp pumping

8.4 Laser diode pumping

8.5 Control features

8.6 Conclusion

Chapter 9: Operation regimes for solid-state lasers

Abstract:

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Continuous-wave operation

9.3 Pulsed pumping of solid-state lasers

9.4 Q-switching

9.5 Mode locking

9.6 Chirped-pulse amplification

9.7 Regenerative amplification

Chapter 10: Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) and neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate (Nd:YVO4)

Abstract:

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Oscillators for neodymium lasers

10.3 Power/energy limitations and oscillator scaling concepts

10.4 Power scaling with master oscillator/power amplifier (MOPA) architectures

10.5 Future trends

10.6 Sources of further information and advice

Chapter 11: System sizing issues with diode-pumped quasi-three-level materials

Abstract:

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Ytterbium-doped materials and bulk operating conditions

11.3 Overview of Yb-based systems pump architectures and modes of operation

11.4 YAG–KGW–KYW-based laser systems for nanosecond and sub-picosecond pulse generation

11.5 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 12: Neodymium doped lithium yttrium fluoride (Nd:YLiF4) lasers

Abstract:

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Pumping methods of Nd:YLF lasers

12.3 Alternative laser transitions

12.4 Future trends

Chapter 13: Erbium (Er) glass lasers

Abstract:

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Flashlamp pumped erbium (Er) glass lasers

13.3 Laser diode (LD) pumped erbium (Er) glass lasers

13.4 Means of Q-switching for erbium (Er) glass lasers

13.5 Applications of erbium (Er) glass lasers

13.6 Crystal lasers emitting at about 1.5 microns: advantages and drawbacks

Chapter 14: Microchip lasers

Abstract:

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Microchip lasers: a broadly applicable concept

14.3 Transverse mode definition

14.4 Spectral properties

14.5 Polarization control

14.6 Pulsed operation

14.7 Nonlinear frequency conversion

14.8 Microchip amplifiers

14.9 Future trends

14.10 Sources of further information and advice

Chapter 15: Fiber lasers

Abstract:

15.1 Introduction and history

15.2 Principle of fiber lasers

15.3 High power continuous wave (CW) fiber lasers

15.4 Pulsed fiber lasers

15.5 Ultrafast fiber lasers

15.6 Continuous wave (CW) and pulsed fiber lasers at alternative wavelengths

15.7 Emerging fiber technologies for fiber lasers

15.8 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 16: Mid-infrared optical parametric oscillators

Abstract:

16.1 Introduction

16.2 Nonlinear optics and optical parametric devices

16.3 Nonlinear optical materials for the infrared region

16.4 Tuneable single frequency optical parametric oscillators (OPOs) for spectroscopy

16.5 High power and high energy nanosecond pulselength systems

16.6 Ultrashort pulse systems

16.7 Sources of further information and advice

16.8 Future trends

Chapter 17: Raman lasers

Abstract:

17.1 Introduction

17.2 Raman lasers

17.3 Solid-state Raman materials

17.4 Raman generators, amplifiers and lasers

17.5 Crystalline Raman lasers: performance review

17.6 Wavelength-versatile Raman lasers

17.7 Conclusion and future trends

Chapter 18: Cryogenic lasers

Abstract:

18.1 Introduction

18.2 History of cryogenically cooled lasers

18.3 Laser material properties at cryogenic temperatures

18.4 Recent cryogenic laser achievements

18.5 Conclusion and future trends

18.6 Acknowledgment

Chapter 19: Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Abstract:

19.1 Introduction to laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

19.2 Types of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) systems and applications

19.3 Solid-state lasers for laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

19.4 Future trends

Chapter 20: Surgical solid-state lasers and their clinical applications

Abstract:

20.1 Introduction

20.2 Laser–tissue interaction

20.3 Clinical applications of solid-state lasers

20.4 Current and future trends in laser surgery

Chapter 21: Solid-state lasers (SSL) in defense programs

Abstract:

21.1 Introduction

21.2 Background

21.3 Properties of laser weapons

21.4 Gas lasers

21.5 Solid-state lasers

21.6 Alternative lasers

21.7 Conclusions and future trends

Chapter 22: Environmental applications of solid-state lasers

Abstract:

22.1 Introduction

22.2 Classification of atmospheric contaminants

22.3 Light scattering as a powerful method for the measurement of atmospheric contamination by aerosols

22.4 Instrumentation based on laser light scattering and absorption for the measurement of aerosols

22.5 Gas monitors based on optical measurement methods using lasers

22.6 Remote sensing using lasers and ground-based and airborne light detection and ranging (LIDAR)

22.7 Conclusion

Index

Boris Denker is head of the Laboratory of Concentrated Laser Materials at the A.M.Prokhorov General Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia.
Eugene Shklovsky is Senior Laser Scientist at Optech Inc, Toronto, Canada.
  • Reviews the materials used in solid-state lasers
  • Explores the principles of solid-state laser systems and their applications
  • Considers defence and environmental applications