ECE 55200 - Introduction to Lasers

Course Details

Lecture Hours: 3 Credits: 3

Areas of Specialization:

  • Fields and Optics
  • Microelectronics and Nanotechnology

Counts as:

  • EE Elective
  • CMPE Selective - Special Content

Normally Offered:

Each Spring

Campus/Online:

On-campus and online

Requisites:

ECE 30411 or ECE 31100

Catalog Description:

An introduction to lasers and laser applications which does not require a knowledge of quantum mechanics as a prerequisite. Topics include: the theory of laser operation, some specific laser systems, non-linear optics, optical detection, and applications to optical communications, holography, laser-driven fusion, and integrated optics.

Required Text(s):

  1. Laser Electronics , J. Verdeyen , Prentice-Hall , 1995 , ISBN No. 0-13-706666-X

Recommended Text(s):

None.

Learning Outcomes

A student who successfully fulfills the course requirements will have demonstrated an ability to:

  • Analyze and describe optical modes of feedback systems based on various types of optical resonators
  • Explain resonant modes of optical cavities and analyze stability of optical feedback systems
  • Describe Gaussian modes of optical cavities and apply ABCD laws for characterizing optical modes in feedback systems
  • Explain the basics of atomic radiation
  • Explain the fundamentals of laser operations
  • Demonstrate a basic understanding of operation of common lasers
  • Explain basic properties of laser radiation
  • Explain basic notions of nonlinear optics
  • Explain key principles of operation of a nanolaser and basic notions of metamaterials and nanophotonics

Lecture Outline:

Weeks Weeks
3 Introduction: Review of Some Aspects of Classical Optics Elementary Optical Cavity Analysis. Gaussian Beams. Laser Cavity Modes.
2 Interactions of Radiation with Matter. Absorption, Emission, Scattering, Line Broadening. Laser Media.
4 Introduction to Laser Theory. Rate Theory. Gain Saturation. Homogeneous and Inhomogeneous Broadening. Gain Narrowing. Output Coupling. Optimization. Hole Burning. Threshold Behavior. Pulse Generation.
Specific Laser Systems: Solid State lasers. Tunable Lasers. Gas Lasers. Semiconductor Lasers.
1 Special Topics (Detectors, Coherence, etc...)
1 Exams

Assessment Method:

Homework, report, exams.