A Practical Guide To Handling Laser Diode Beams

This book offers the reader a practical guide to the control and characterization of laser diode beams. Laser diodes are the most widely used lasers, accounting for 50% of the global laser market. Correct handling of laser diode beams is the key to the successful use of laser diodes, and this requires an in-depth understanding of their unique properties. Following a short introduction to the working principles of laser diodes, the book describes the basics of laser diode beams and beam propagation, including Zemax modeling of a Gaussian beam propagating through a lens. The core of the book is concerned with laser diode beam manipulations: collimating and focusing, circularization and astigmatism correction, coupling into a single mode optical fiber, diffractive optics and beam shaping, and manipulation of multi transverse mode beams. The final chapter of the book covers beam characterization methods, describing the measurement of spatial and spectral properties, including wavelength and linewidth measurement techniques. The book is a significantly revised and expanded version of the title Laser Diode Beam Basics, Manipulations and Characterizations by the same author. New topics introduced in this volume include: laser diode types and working principles, non-paraxial Gaussian beam, Zemax modeling, numerical analysis of a laser diode beam, spectral property characterization methods, and power and energy characterization techniques. The book approaches the subject in a practical way with mathematical content kept to the minimum level required, making the book a convenient reference for laser diode users.

This book offers the reader a practical guide to the control and characterization of laser diode beams. Laser diodes are the most widely used lasers, accounting for 50% of the global laser market. Correct handling of laser diode beams is the key to the successful use of laser diodes, and this requires an in-depth understanding of their unique properties. Following a short introduction to the working principles of laser diodes, the book describes the basics of laser diode beams and beam propagation, including Zemax modeling of a Gaussian beam propagating through a lens. The core of the book is concerned with laser diode beam manipulations: collimating and focusing, circularization and astigmatism correction, coupling into a single mode optical fiber, diffractive optics and beam shaping, and manipulation of multi transverse mode beams. The final chapter of the book covers beam characterization methods, describing the measurement of spatial and spectral properties, including wavelength and linewidth measurement techniques. The book is a significantly revised and expanded version of the title Laser Diode Beam Basics, Manipulations and Characterizations by the same author. New topics introduced in this volume include: laser diode types and working principles, non-paraxial Gaussian beam, Zemax modeling, numerical analysis of a laser diode beam, spectral property characterization methods, and power and energy characterization techniques. The book approaches the subject in a practical way with mathematical content kept to the minimum level required, making the book a convenient reference for laser diode users.

This thesis presents the first successful realization of a compact, low-noise, and few-cycle light source in the mid-infrared wavelength region. By developing the technology of pumping femtosecond chromium-doped II-VI laser oscillators directly with the emission of broad-stripe single-emitter laser diodes, coherent light was generated with exceptionally low amplitude noise — crucial for numerous applications including spectroscopy at high sensitivities. Other key parameters of the oscillator's output, such as pulse duration and output power, matched and even surpassed previous state-of-the-art systems. As a demonstration of its unique capabilities, the oscillator's powerful output was used to drive — without further amplification — the nonlinear generation of coherent mid-infrared light spanning multiple octaves. The resulting table-top system uniquely combines high brilliance and ultrabroad spectral bandwidth in the important mid-infrared spectral range. The rapid development of this technology is comprehensively and lucidly documented in this PhD thesis. Together with a thorough review of literature and applications, and an extensive analysis of the theoretical foundations behind ultrafast laser oscillators, the thesis will serve as a valuable reference for the construction of a new generation of mid-infrared light sources.

Many optical design technical books are available for many years which mainly deal with image optics design based on geometric optics and using sequential raytracing technique. Some books slightly touched laser beam manipulation optics design. On the other hand many books on laser diodes have been published that extensively deal with laser diode physics with little touching on laser diode beam manipulations and characterizations. There are some internet resources dealing with laser diode beams. However, these internet resources have not covered enough materials with enough details on laser diode beam manipulations and characterizations. A technical book concentrated on laser diode beam manipulations and characterizations can fit in to the open and provide useful information to laser diode users. Laser Diode Beam Basics, Manipulations and Characterizations is concentrated on the very practical side of the subject, it only discusses the basic physics and mathematics that are necessary for the readers in order to understand the subject. This book is intended to provide a practical guidance and reference to those scientists and engineers who are still new to laser diode applications, and to those undergraduate and graduate students who are studying lasers and optics. Readers are expected to be able to fast and easily find the most practical and useful information about laser diodes in this book without the need of searching through a sea of information.

A multimedia interactive guide to developing practical skills for optics research. Use as a class lab manual, an instructional tool or as an indispensable reference. In concise, high-def videos, various skills and techniques are demonstrated and explained. These cover topics for the novice, such as mounting and cleaning of optics, as well as for the more advanced learner, such as balanced detection, and lock-in amplifiers. Various interactive widgets let you simulate the experience of aligning a laser beam to an optical system, aligning an interferometer to get fringes, or adjust a Fabry-Perot cavity while observing the mode spectrum. Other tools help you quickly find the Gaussian beam parameters of your laser from measured beam radii, and to calculate the position of a lens or pair of lenses to mode match a laser to a cavity.

This is a practical guide to the safe use of lasers in science, education, industry, telecommunications, entertainment and medicine. Henderson explains the nature of laser hazards and how to implement safety controls to international standards.

The practice of shaping the irradiance profile of laser beams goes back more than three decades, and the applications of beam shaping are as diverse as they are numerous. However, until Dickey and Holswade's groundbreaking and highly popular Laser Beam Shaping: Theory and Techniques was published, there was no single, detailed treatment available on the underlying theory and basic techniques of beam shaping. Building on the foundations of this previous work, these esteemed editors have teamed with recognized expert David L. Shealy to produce the first in-depth account of beam shaping applications and design. Laser Beam Shaping Applications details the important features of beam shaping and exposes the subtleties of the theory and techniques that are best demonstrated through proven applications. In chapters contributed by prominent, active leaders in their respective specialties, the book discusses applications in lithography, laser printing, optical data storage, stable isotope separation, adaptive mirrors, and spatially dispersive lasers. The contributors share major insights, knowledge, and experience, reveal the advantages of the technologies, and include extensive references to the literature. The book concludes with a summary of beam shaping theory and techniques as well as the history of the field. Providing practical expertise, Laser Beam Shaping Applications is an extremely helpful guide to improving current laser processes, optimizing application-specific technologies, and advancing future development in the field.

Choice Recommended Title, March 2020 Optical microscopy is used in a vast range of applications ranging from materials engineering to in vivo observations and clinical diagnosis, and thanks to the latest advances in technology, there has been a rapid growth in the number of methods available. This book is aimed at providing users with a practical guide to help them select, and then use, the most suitable method for their application. It explores the principles behind the different forms of optical microscopy, without the use of complex maths, to provide an understanding to help the reader utilise a specific method and then interpret the results. Detailed physics is provided in boxed sections, which can be bypassed by the non-specialist. It is an invaluable tool for use within research groups and laboratories in the life and physical sciences, acting as a first source for practical information to guide less experienced users (or those new to a particular methodology) on the range of techniques available. Features: The first book to cover all current optical microscopy methods for practical applications Written to be understood by a non-optical expert with inserts to provide the physical science background Brings together conventional widefield and confocal microscopy, with advanced non-linear and super resolution methods, in one book To learn more about the author please visit here.