Basics of Laser Physics

Basics of Laser Physics provides an introductory presentation of the field of all types of lasers. It contains a general description ofthe laser, a theoretical treatment and a characterization of its operation as it deals with gas, solid state, free-electron and semiconductor lasers and, furthermore, with a few laser related topics. The different subjects are connected to each other by the central principleof the laser, namely, that it is a self-oscillating system. Special emphasis is put on a uniform treatment of gas and solid-state lasers, on the one hand, and semiconductor lasers, on the other hand. The discussions and the treatment of equations are presented in a way that a reader can immediately follow. The book addresses undergraduate and graduate students of science and engineering.Not only should it enable instructorstoprepare their lectures, but it canbe helpful to students forpreparing for an examination.