Laser Resonators and Beam Propagation: Fundamentals, Advanced Concepts and Applications

Dr. rer. nat. Norman Hodgson, Prof. Dr. Ing. Horst Weber (auth.)0387400788, 9780387400785, 9780387251103

Optical Resonators provides a detailed discussion of the properties of optical resonators for lasers from basic theory to recent research. In addition to describing the fundamental theories of resonators such as geometrical optics, diffraction, and polarisation the characteristics of all important resonator schemes and their calculation are presented. Experimental examples, practical problems and a collection of measurement techniques support the comprehensive treatment of the subject. Optical Resonators is the only book currently available that provides a comprehensive overview of the the subject. Combined with the structure of the text and the autonomous nature of the chapters this work will be as suitable for those new to the field as it will be invaluable to specialists conducting research. This second edition has been enlarged by new sections on Q-switching and resonators with internal phase/amplitude control. In addition, the whole book has been brought up-to-date.

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Table of contents :
Introduction….Pages 1-4
Geometrical Optics….Pages 7-55
Wave Optics….Pages 57-152
Polarization….Pages 153-186
The Fabry Perot Resonator….Pages 189-215
Stable Resonators….Pages 219-279
Resonators on the Stability Limits….Pages 281-293
Unstable Resonators….Pages 295-340
Resonators with Internal Optical Elements….Pages 341-363
The Active Medium….Pages 367-392
Output Power of Laser Resonators….Pages 393-412
Influence of Gain on Mode Structure and Loss….Pages 413-432
Q-switched Laser Resonators….Pages 433-450
Resonators with Variable Internal Lenses….Pages 451-503
Resonators with Several Active Media….Pages 505-515
Misalignment Sensitivity of the Output Power….Pages 517-537
Resonators with Internal Nonlinear Elements….Pages 539-582
Prism Resonators….Pages 585-594
Fourier Transform Resonators….Pages 595-604
Hybrid Resonators….Pages 605-646
Resonators for Annular Gain Media….Pages 647-664
Ring Resonators….Pages 665-674
Single Mode Resonators….Pages 675-686
Measurement of Laser Head Parameters….Pages 689-711
Measurement of Laser Beam Parameters….Pages 713-729