Laserfysik - Laser physics

SK2411, 7.5 ECTS poäng (former 5A1800 and SK2410)

This course runs together with IO2659

New: Lecture moved from April 26 to Aril 27 (check schedule below)

New: Schedule for labs is ready for signup.

New: change in lecture time on April 18 (check schedule below)

Svensk kursbeskrivning

 

How to write lab reports

Course description

Goal
The course is aiming at giving general understanding of lasers and laser components and their function in the laser. Furthermore to prepare students in atomic and molecular physics, quantum optics and physical optics for work in research and technology.

Course Objectives:
After the course the student should:
• Understand basic physical principles of light generation and amplification
• Relate the laser operation principles to the subjects of atom and molecular physics, solid state physics, quantum mechanics and physical optics
• Understand operational principles and construction of lasers
• Understand technological issues behind laser construction
• Describe properties of different types of lasers and their application areas.

Main content:
• Essentials of quantum-mechanical description of optical gain media, including atoms, molecules, and solid state materials.
• Essentials of quantum-mechanical description of the of the interaction between photons and electrons in optical gain media.
• Basic properties of lasers and photon amplifiers.
• Physical principles of laser action.
• Essential knowledge of laser building blocks.
• Overview of the most important laser types.

Lecturers and examiners
Valdas Pasiskevicius, Laser physics, Albanova (Fysikcentrum), Roslagstullsbacken 21 (rum A3:1049), vp@laserphysics.kth.se, tel. 5537 8155.

 

Min Yan, Photonics, KTH, Kista, miya@kth.se, tel. 790 4064

Exercise assistant
Niels Meiser, Albanova, room A3:3009,
nm@laserphysics.kth.se, tel. 5537 8192

Labs:
Fredrik Laurell, Albanova, room A3:1051, 
fl@laserphysics.kth.se , tel. 5537 8153

Kai Seger, Albanova, room A3:1061, ks@laserphysics.kth.se, tel.5537 8157

Nicky Thilmann, Albanova, room A3:1067, nt@laserphysics.kth.se, tel.5537 8812

 

Literature

Svelto, Orazio , Principles of Lasers, Fourth edition, or later (Translation by David. C. Hanna) Kluwer Academic/Plenum Press, Springer (1998 or later) ISBN 0-306-45748-2.Sold at the KTH bookstore. Also available from internet bookstores, e.g.

http://www.adlibris.com/se/product.aspx?isbn=1441913017

Language of instruction
English.

Prerequisites:
Course in general physics (e.g. SK1100, ECTS 9 points),
Course in quantum mechanics (e.g. SI2170 9 ECTS points),

Recommended previous knowledge
Quantum mechanics, atom physics, physical optics.

Course description
Lectures: 24 hours
Exercises: 12 hours

Laborations: Diode laser 2 hours, Diode-pumped solid-state laser 6 hours

Examination
Written exam. Grading:  A/B/C/D/E/Fx/F
Lab reports. Grading:  P/F

Grading scale A/B/C/D/E/Fx/F

Fysikexpeditionen
Alba Nova (Fysikcentrum), Roslagstullsbacken 21 (B5:1016).

Schedule 2012

Date, time

Activity

Location

19 March, 15-17

FRL

FA32

21 March, 8-10

FRL

FB54

26 March, 13-15

FRL

FB54

28 March, 8-10

OVN

FB54

29 March, 13-15

FRL

FB54

10 April, 15-17

FRL

FB54

11 April, 8-10

OVN

FB54

13 April, 8-10

FRL

FA32

16 April, 15-17

FRL

FA32

18 April, 15-17

OVN

FB54

20 April, 8-10

FRL

FB54

27 April, 8-10

FRL

FB54

11 May 8-10

OVN

FB54

14 May 15-17

FRL

FA32

15 May, 10-12

FRL

FB54

16 May, 10-12

FRL

FB54

21 May, 13-15

OVN

FB53

23 May, 13-15

OVN

FB54

29 May, 8-13

TEN

FB53

August

Om-TEN

Allowed exam aid
Sheet with formulas

Lecture contents

 

1

Introduction, background, history and applications. Interaction of radiation with atoms and ions

Chap. 1, 2

2

Essential spectroscopic characteristics of atomic and molecular media

Chap. 2, 3

3

Semiconductors as laser gain material

Chap. 3

4

Ray and wave propagation, modes of electromagnetic field

Chap. 4

5

Optical resonators

Chap. 5

6

Properties of laser beams

Chap. 11

7

Population inversion, pumping processes

Chap. 6

8

Continuous wave lasers

Chap. 7

9

Transient laser behavior, Q-switching, mode-locking

Chap. 8

10

Transformation of laser radiation: Nonlinear optics

Chap. 12

11

Types of lasers: solid state, semiconductor, dye, gas, chemical

Chap.9,10

12

Types of lasers continued. Summary of the course

 

Lecture notes  
Due to change in the course structure, the links to old notes have been removed as will be replaced with new ones as the course progresses.

Lecture notes 1
Lecture notes 2

Errata Lecture 2

Lecture notes 3

Lecture notes 4

Lecture notes 5

Lecture notes 6

Lecture notes 7

Lecture notes 8

Lecture notes 9

Lecture notes 10

Lecture notes 11

Lecture notes 12

 

Exercises
Problems will be from the course textbook and home-made. Links to solutions will be added as the course progresses. 

Exercises (2012):

Questions? Email to nm@laserphysics.kth.se!

Session

Chapters

Problems/Examples

Tasks

Solutions

Additional material

1)
2012-03-28

1, 2

Pr. 1.3-7, 2.3, 2.7
Ex. 2.1, 2.4

session1 - tasks

session1-guide
session1-solutions

details on task 1.5 and 1.6
details on task 1_5 - gain and loss
details on task 1.7

2)
2012-04-11

3, 4

Pr. 3.7-10, 4.4, 4.8, 4.10, 4.13
Ex. 3.6-7, 4.3, 4.4

session2 - tasks

session2 - guide
session2-solutions
updated solutions to 3.10,3.8,4.4

MATLAB script for task 3.8

3)
2012-04-18

5, 11

Pr. 5.2, 5.8, 5.10, 5.13, 11.8, 11.9
Ex. 5.1, 5.5, 5.8

session3-tasks

session3 - guide
session3-solutions

MATLAB script for TEM modes

4)
2012-05-11

6, 7

Ex. 6.3, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6
Pr. 6.4, 6.8, 6.10, 7.5, 7.10

session4-tasks

session4 - guide

session4-solutions
updated solution to task 6.8

MATLAB script for task 7.10

5)
2012-05-21

8, 12

Ex. 8.4, 8.7, 12.2
Pr. 8.1, 8.4, 8.10, 8.16-17, 12.2, 12.5

session5-tasks

session5 - guide
session5-solutions

 

6)
2012-05-23

 

Tasks from former exams
(2008, 2009 and 2010)

session6-tasks

Short solutions and hints for old exams can be found further down the page.
may08_exam_addendum
may09_exam_addendum
may10_exam_addendum
task_guide_exams (all)

Old exams can be found further down on this page

Exercises (2011):

Questions? Email to nm@laserphysics.kth.se!

Session

Chapters

Problems/Examples

Tasks

Solutions

Additional material

1)
2011-03-30

1, 2

Pr. 1.3-7, 2.3, 2.7
Ex. 2.1, 2.4

session1 - tasks

task guide session1
session1-solutions

details on task 1.5 and 1.6
details on task 1.7

2)
2011-04-06

3, 4

Pr. 3.7-10, 4.4, 4.8, 4.10, 4.13
Ex. 3.6-7, 4.3, 4.4

session2 - tasks

task guide session2
session2-solutions
updated solutions to 3.10,3.8,4.4

MATLAB script for task 3.8

3)
2011-04-13

5, 11

Pr. 5.2, 5.8, 5.10, 5.13, 11.8, 11.9
Ex. 5.1, 5.5, 5.8

session3-tasks

task guide session3
session3-solutions

MATLAB script for TEM modes

4)
2011-05-06

6, 7

Ex. 6.3, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6
Pr. 6.4, 6.8, 6.10, 7.5, 7.10

session4-tasks

task_guide_session4
session4-solutions

 

5)
2011-05-13

8, 12

Ex. 8.4, 8.7, 12.2
Pr. 8.1, 8.4, 8.10, 8.16-17, 12.2, 12.5

session5-tasks

task_guide_session5
session5-solutions

 

6)
2011-05-16

 

Tasks from former exams
(2008 and 2009)

session6-tasks

Short solutions and hints for old exams can be found further down the page.
may08_exam_addendum
may09_exam_addendum
may10_exam_addendum
task_guide_exams (all)

Old exams can be found further down on this page

 

Old Exercises (2010):

Session

Chapters

Problems/Examples

Tasks

Solutions

1)
2010-03-31

1, 2

Pr. 1.3-7, 2.3, 2.7
Ex. 2.1, 2.4

 

session1-solutions

2)
2010-04-14

3, 4

Pr. 3.7-10, 4.4, 4.8, 4.10, 4.13
Ex. 3.6-7, 4.3, 4.4

 

session2-solutions

3)
2010-04-22

5, 11

Pr. 5.2, 5.8, 5.10, 5.13, 11.1, 11.3-4
Ex. 5.1, 5.5, 5.8, 11.1, 11.3-4

session3-tasks

session3-solutions

4)
2010-04-28

6, 7

Ex. 6.3, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6
Pr. 6.4, 6.8, 6.10, 7.5, 7.10

session4-tasks

session4-solutions

5)
2010-05-10

8, 12

Ex. 8.4, 8.7, 12.2
Pr. 8.1, 8.4, 8.10, 8.16-17, 12.2, 12.5

session5-tasks

session5-solutions

6)
2010-05-21

 

Tasks from former exams
(2008 and 2009)

session6-tasks

session6-solutions

 

Old Exercises (2009):

 

Chaps.

Problems

 Links

1

1-3

1.3, 1.4, 2.3, 2.7, 2.5, 2.6, 3.3, 3.4, 1.5

solutions

2

4-5

4.4, 4.8, 4.10, 4.12, 4.13, 5.2, 5.10

solutions

3

5, 11, 6

5.8,11.2, 11.8, 11.9, 6.4, 6.8, 6.10, 11.1 mod

solutions

4

7

7.4, 7.5, instead of 7.10, 7.14, 7.17

solutions

5

8

8.1, 8.11, two other exercises

solutions

6

12

12.2, 12.5, 12.3, 12.8, 12.10
 

solutions


Labs

Lab instructions:
Diode laser, + lab instructions data sheet 1 & 2
Diode-pumped solid-state laser

Lab schedule for 2012 is here

The list is put up on the notice board on the 5th floor at Albanova where Student Expedition is. Everyone should sign up in person. Responsible for the list is Valdas Pasiskevicius vp@laserphysics.kth.se

The Laser diode lab will take place in rooms G2:004, G2:005 and C2:3061 in the main building of Albanova

The SSL lab will take place in rooms G2:004 and G2:005 in the main building of Albanova.

At the time of the beginning of the labs (sharp) we meet up outside our offices at A32, on floor 3, just opposite the restaurant.

Don’t be late, because the corridors where the lab rooms are located are locked and require pass-cards to access.

Old exams
Exam 2011 Maysolutions

Exam 2010 Maysolutions

Exam 2009 Maysolutions

Exam 2008 Maysolutions

Exam 2007 May - solutions
Exam 2006 August - solutions
Exam 2005 August
Exams 1999-2004 - some solutions

 

Course evaluations
2011

2009

2008

2007
2006

 

Kursbeskrivning

Mål
Kursen avser att ge studeranden den grundläggande förståelsen för en lasers komponenter och deras samverkan för att få lasern att fungera. Att förbereda studerande i atom- och molekylfysik, kvantoptik samt fysikalisk optik för tillämpningar av lasern i forskning och teknologi.

Kursens omfattning
Föreläsningar: 24 timmar
Övningar: 12 timmar
Laborationer: Diodlasern 2 timmar, Diodpumpad fasta tillståndslaser, 6 timmar

Examination
Labbrapporter ( Betyg: P/F). Skriftlig tentament (Betyg: A/B/C/D/E/Fx/F). 

ECTS poäng: 7.5
Nivå: Avancerad
Språk: English, Swedish on request
Valfri för: FF(F3), LAKV(F3)

Föreläsare och examinator
Valdas Pasiskevicius, Laserfysik, Albanova
(Fysikcentrum), Roslagstullsbacken 21 (rum A3:1049),
vp@laserphysics.kth.se, tel.5537 8155.

 

Min Qiu, Photonics, KTH, Kista, min@kth.se, tel. 7904068

Övningsassistenter
Niels Meiser, Albanova, rum A3:1059, nm@laserphysics.kth.se, tel. 5537 8192

Labbassistent
Fredrik Laurell, fl@laserphysics.kth.se, tel. 5537 8153

Kai Seger, Albanova, rum A3:1061, ks@laserphysics.kth.se, tel.5537 8157

Nicky Thilmann, Albanova, rum A3:1067, nt@laserphysics.kth.se, tel.5537 8812

 
Kursinnehåll
Grundläggande kvantmekanisk behandling av material som ger förstärkning i lasersystem; atomer, molekyler och fasta kroppar Grundkunskap om de komponenter som ingår i en laser
Ljusets kvantegenskaper och dess växelverkan med materia De fysikaliska principerna för laserns funktion Kvantförstärkares och lasers grundläggande egenskaper Översikt över de viktigaste lasertyperna.

Förkunskaper
5A1230 Vågrörelselära och 5A1450 Kvantfysik eller
motsvarande kunskaper.

Påbyggnad

 Kvantelektronik, Optisk fysik. 

Kursfordringar
Godkänd tentamen ( A/B/C/D/E/Fx/F) och godkända laborationer (P/F).

Kurslitteratur
Svelto, Orazio , Principles of Lasers, Fourth edition (Translation by David. C. Hanna) Kluwer Academic/Plenum Press, Springer (1998 or later) ISBN 0-306-45748-2.
Säljes på kårbokhandeln eller kan köpas hos internet bokhandlar, tex. http://www.adlibris.com/se/product.aspx?isbn=0306457482

 

Fysikexpeditionen
Alba Nova (Fysikcentrum), Roslagstullsbacken 21 (B5:1016),
Öppet vardagar 11 -13.

Tentamenshjälpmedel
Formelsamling

Updated on February 27, 2012.