SPIE LASER/SOURCE TECHNOLOGIES listed for information only

• Introduction to Diode Lasers, LEDs, and Detectors for Optical Instruments
• Fundamentals of Lasers and Laser Applications
• Miniature Optics for Diode Lasers and Beam Shaping

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Fundamentals of Lasers and Laser Applications

Anthony Siegman is a professor of electrical engineering and of applied physics at Stanford University, Stanford, CA.

The first laser was operated in 1960. Since then lasers have produced an enviable record of accomplishments in basic science, applied technology, medicine, national defense, telecommunications and materials processing. They provide the music in our homes, print documents in offices, dazzle us at discos and laser light shows, and fuel our imagination to discover new laser devices and applications.

This course will allow you to:

• Determine if and where lasers might be used to advantage in your company
• The three major elements of the laser, and how these elements affect performance
• Determine what type of laser is best suited for use in your project
• Knowledgeably discuss your laser system requirements with laser manufacturers
• Anticipate future applications for newly emerging types of lasers.

Part I: Comparing Laser Radiation to Ordinary Light

• Define the properties of a laser beam
• Explain the meaning of coherence, directionality and monochromaticity
• Define coherence time and coherence length
• Use of the Michelson interferometer

Part II: Qualitative Overview and Historical Perspective of the Laser

• Explain atomic energy states
• Explain excitation processes
• Distinguish spontaneous emission from stimulated emission
• Population inversion, light amplification

Part III: Identification of the Essential Elements of the Laser

• Function of each element; examples
• Classify lasers by their amplifying medium
• Define the gain coefficient
• Establish quantitative requirements for a population inversion

Part IV: Determining the Output Laser

• Explain the laser rate equations
• Below-and above-threshold operation
• Parameters that govern output power

Part V: Excitation Mechanisms I

• Three-level or four-level systems
• Define theoretical and operational efficiency
• Explain the various pumping mechanisms

Part VI: Excitation Mechanisms II

• Optical pumping in Ruby and Nd:YAG lasers
• Basic excitation
• Atomic versus molecular excitation
• Various types of CO2 lasers
• Describe the chemically excited gas laser

Part VII: The Optical Resonator

• The resonance condition and frequencies
• Stable versus unstable resonators
• Summarize parameters of TEMoo mode
• Explain two shortcomings of stable resonators

Part VIII: A Quantitative Description of the Beam

• Explain beam spreading
• Transverse or longitudinal modes
• Properties of a Gaussian spherical beam
• Characteristics of a focused beam
• Explain the use of beam expanders

Part IX: Survey of Laser Applications I

• Alignment and metrology
• Cutting, drilling, welding, and marking
• Scanning, printing, and data recording
• Ranging, tracking, and target designation

Part X: Survey of Laser Applications II

• Lasers in basic science and medicine
• Lasers in communications and information processing
• Latest advances in miniature, highly efficient, ultrashort pulse, and very high power lasers

Intended Audience: Intended for technical and marketing managers, engineers, technicians, medical personnel and others who desire an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of lasers and the status of this technology.

Order Number: VT0492

Length: 10 hours

Individual Price: List US$645

Site License: List US$1,500

Miniature Optics for Diode Lasers and Beam Shaping

Instructor: Tom D. Milster has worked at IBM as an optical engineer and is now an assistant professor at the University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center.

This course will provide an introduction to the design of laser diode and LED miniature optical systems. A topical overview of relevant micro-optic technologies will be presented. Application of miniature optic components will be shown in several examples.

This course will enable you to:

• Describe important characteristics for laser diode optical systems including collimation, focusing, circularization and astigmatism correction
• List key features of miniature optic components, including moded optics, ball and rod lenses, microlens arrays, Fresnel lenses, and other technologies
• Combine miniature optic technologies and laser diodes for coupling a laser diode to an optical fiber
• Understand important aspects of delivering energy from high power laser diodes
• Summarize important aspects of micro-optic systems used with VCSELs, laser printers, supermarket scanners and beam transformers

Part I: Introduction: Optical Properties

• List significant optical properties of laser diodes and light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• Categorize different types of laser diodes (communications, power, data storage, etc.)
• Describe significance of laser diode and LED properties in optical systems
• Explain the basics of laser beam collimation, circularization and focusing
• Describe figures of merit for beam quality

Part II: Overview of Miniature Optical Components

• Describe important features of the following miniature optic components: ball lenses, rod lenses, molded glass aspheric singlets, molded plastic aspheric singlets, graded-index (GRIN) lenses, distributed-index planar microlenses, spherical micro-integrated lenses (SMILE), micro-Fresnel lenses, hybrid lenses, other technologies

Part III: Simple Laser Diode and Beam Shaping Optical Systems

• Define stop, pupils and aberrations of micro-optic systems
• Describe tools and approximations useful in micro-optic systems
• Compute basic micro-beam properties
• Design a simple beam collimation, circularization and focusing system

Part IV: Coupling to Fibers and Waveguides

• Compute coupling efficiency
• Predict performance of laser-lens-fiber systems for communications
• Describer properties of systems using modified fibers and waveguides
• Estimate performance of broad-stripe laser diodes coupled to fibers and waveguides

Part V: Other Examples

• Explain characteristics of the following designs: supermarket scanner; VCSEL arrays; laser printer; beam transformer.

Intended Audience: This material is directed toward persons who work directly or peripherally with laser diode systems and/or miniature optics.

Order Number: VT100595

Length: 5 hours

Individual Price: List US$395

Site License: List US$1,000