Orazio Svelto Laser

This book is the result of more than ten years of research and teaching in the field of quantum electronics. The purpose of the book is to introduce the principles of lasers, starting from elementary notions of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. Because it is an introductory book, an effort has been made to make it self­ contained to minimize the need for reference to other works. For the same reason; the references have been limited (whenever possible) either to review papers or to papers of seminal importance. The organization of the book is based on the fact that a laser can be thought of as consisting of three elements: (i) an active material, (ii) a pumping system, and (iii) a suitable resonator. Ac­ cordingly, after an introductory chapter, the next three chapters deal, respectively, with the interaction of radiation with matter, pumping processes, and the theory of passive optical resonators.

This new Fifth Edition of Principles of Lasers incorporates corrections to the previous edition. The text’s essential mission remains the same: to provide a wide-ranging yet unified description of laser behavior, physics, technology, and current applications. Dr. Svelto emphasizes the physical rather than the mathematical aspects of lasers, and presents the subject in the simplest terms compatible with a correct physical understanding.