Provides a comprehensive guide to measurements with lasers Examines the design of optical and laser-based instruments Reviews the development of measurement strategies Includes two new chapters on self-mixing interferometry and quantum sensing Includes end of chapter problems

Starting from fundamentals and moving through a thorough discussion of equipment, methods, and techniques, the Handbook of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy provides a unique reference source that will be of value for many years to come for this important new analysis method. The authors, with a total of over 60 years of experience in the LIBS method, use a combination of tutorial discussions ranging from basic principles up to more advanced descriptions along with extensive figures and photographs to clearly explain topics addressed in the text. In this second edition, chapters on the use of statistical analysis and advances in detection of weapons of mass destruction have been added. Tables of data related to analysis with LIBS have been updated. The Handbook of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Second Edition: * provides a thorough but understandable discussion of the basic principles of the method based on atomic emission spectroscopy, including recently available data leading to better characterization of the LIBS plasma; * presents a discussion of the many advantages of the method along with limitations, to provide the reader a balanced overview of capabilities of the method; * describes LIBS instrumentation ranging from basic set-ups to more advanced configurations; * presents a comprehensive discussion of the different types of components (laser, spectrometers, detectors) that can be used for LIBS apparatuses along with suggestions for their use, as well as an up-to-date treatment of the newest advances and capabilities of LIBS instruments; * presents the analytical capabilities of the method in terms of detection limits, accuracy, and precision of measurements for a variety of different sample types; * discusses methods of sampling different media such as gases, liquids, and solids; * presents an overview of some real-world applications of the method, with new emphasis on sampling of biologically and physically dangerous materials; * provides an up-to-date list of references to LIBS literature along with the latest detection limits and a unique list of element detection limits using a uniform analysis method; * provides annotated examples of LIBS spectra which can serve as references for the general reader and will be especially useful for those starting out in the field.

This book is the result of two decades of research work which started with an accidental observation. One of my students, Dipl. phys. Volkmar Lenz, - ticed that the speckle pattern of laser light scattered by a cuvette containing diluted milk performed a strange motion every time he came near the cuvette with his thumb. After thinkingabout this e?ect we came to the conclusion that this motion can only be caused by scatteringparticles with di?erent velocities, as in the case of the di?raction pattern of an optical grating: A linear motion of the grating does not change the pattern whereas a rotation of the grating does. The observed speckle motion could then be explained qualitatively as produced by the inhomogeneous velocity of the convection within the cuvette which was produced by the heat of the thumb. The theoretical treatment of this e?ect revealed that the velocity gradient of the light scattering medium is responsible for the speckle motion. The idea to use this e?ect for developingmeasurement techniques for velocity gradients arose almost immediately. For that purpose we had to develop not only experimental set-ups to measure the pattern velocity but also the theory which describes the connection between this velocity and the velocity gradient. The result of this work together with the description of a method developed by another group forms the contents of this book. I am indebted to the students who worked in my laboratory and developed the measurement techniques. These were, in temporal order, Dr.

Laser Processing and Chemistry gives an overview of the fundamentals and applications of laser-matter interactions, in particular with regard to laser material processing. Special attention is given to laser-induced physical and chemical processes at gas-solid, liquid-solid, and solid-solid interfaces. Starting with the background physics, the book proceeds to examine applications of laser techniques in micro-machining, and the patterning, coating, and modification of material surfaces. Thisfourth edition has been revised and enlarged to cover new topics such as 3D microfabrication, advances in nanotechnology, ultrafast laser technology and laser chemical processing (LCP).
Graduate students, physicists, chemists, engineers, and manufacturers alike will find this book an invaluable reference work on laser processing.

Recent advances in semiconductor technology have made it possible to fabricate microcavity structures in which both photon fields and electron-hole pairs (or excitons) are confined in a small volume comparable to their wavelength. The radiative properties of the electron-hole pairs and excitons are modified owing to the drastic change in the structure of the electromagnetic-field modes. This book is the first to give a comprehensive account of the theory of semiconductor cavity quantum electrodynamics for such systems in the weak-coupling and strong-coupling regimes. The important concepts are presented, together with relevant, recent experimental results.

1.1 Digital Optics as a Subject Improvement of the quality of optical devices has always been the central task of experimental optics. In modern terms, improvements in sensitivity and resolution have equated higher quality with greater informational throughput. For most of today's applications, optics and electronics have, in essence, solved the problem of generating high quality pictures with great informational ca pacity. Effective use of the enormous amount of information contained in the images necessitates processing pictures, holograms, and interferograms. The manner in which information might be extracted from optical entities has be come a topic of current interest. The informational aspects of optical signals and systems might serve as a basis for attacking this question by making use of information theory and signal communication theory, and by enlisting modern tools and methods for data processing (the most important and powerful of which are those of digi tal computation). Exploiting modern advances in electronics has allowed new wavelength ranges and new kinds of radiation to be used in optics. Comput ers have extended our knowledge of the informational essence of radiation. Thus, computerized optical devices enhance not only the optical capabilities of sight, but also its analytical capabilities as well, thus opening qualitatively new horizons to all the areas in which optical devices have found application."

This book contains contributions written by the world-leading scientists in high-resolution laser spectroscopy, quantum optics and laser physics. Emphasis is placed on precision related to results in a variety of fields, such as atomic clocks, frequency standards, and the measurement of physical constants in atomic physics. Furthermore, illustrations and engineering applications of the fundamentals of quantum mechanics are widely covered. It has contributions by Nobel prize winners Norman F. Ramsey and Steven Chu, and is dedicated to Theodor W. Hänsch on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

The quantum statistical properties of the light wave generated in a semiconductor laser or a light-emitting diode (LED) has been a field of intense research for more than a decade. This research monograph discusses recent research activities in nonclassical light generation based on semiconductor devices. This volume is composed of four major parts. The first discusses the generation of sub-shot-noise light in macroscopic pn junction light-emitting devices, including semiconductor laser and light-emitting diodes. The second part discusses the application of squeezed light in high-precision measurement, including spectroscopy and interferometry. The third part addresses the Coulomb blockade effect in a mesoscopic pn junction and the generation of single photon states. The last part covers the detection of single photons using a visible light photon counter.

This book covers the physics, technology and applications of short pulse laser sources that generate pulses with durations of only a few optical cycles. The basic design considerations for the different systems such as lasers, parametric amplifiers and external compression techniques which have emerged over the last decade are discussed to give researchers and graduate students a thorough introduction to this field. The existence of these sources has opened many new fields of research that were not possible before. These are UV and EUV generation from table-top systems using high-harmonic generation, frequency metrology enabling optical frequency counting, high-resolution optical coherence tomography, strong-field ultrafast solid-state processes and ultrafast spectroscopy, to mention only a few. Many new applications will follow. The book attempts to give a comprehensive, while not excessive, introduction to this exciting new field that serves both experienced researchers and graduate students entering the field.

The first half of the book covers the current physical principles, processes and design guidelines to generate pulses in the optical range comprising only a few cycles of light. Such as the generation of relatively low energy pulses at high repetition rates directly from the laser, parametric generation of medium energy pulses and high-energy pulses at low repetition rates using external compression in hollow fibers. The applications cover the revolution in frequency metrology and high-resolution laser spectroscopy to electric field synthesis in the optical range as well as the emerging field of high-harmonic generation and attosecond science, high-resolution optical imaging and novel ultrafast dynamics in semiconductors. These fields benefit from the strong electric fields accompanying these pulses in solids and gases during events comprising only a few cycles of light.

This book presents posits a solution to the current limitations in global connectivity by introducing a global laser/optical communication system using constellation satellites, UAVs, HAPs and Balloons. The author outlines how this will help to satisfy the tremendous increasing demand for data exchange and information between end-users worldwide including in remote locations. The book provides both fundamentals and the advanced technology development in establishing worldwide communication and global connectivity using, (I) All-Optical technology, and (ii) Laser/Optical Communication Constellation Satellites (of different types, sizes and at different orbits), UAVs, HAPs (High Altitude Platforms) and Balloons. The book discusses step-by-step methods to develop a satellite backbone in order to interconnect a number of ground nodes clustered within a few SD-WAN (software-defined networking) in a wide area network (WAN) around the world in order to provide a fully-meshed communication network. This book pertains to anyone in optical communications, telecommunications, and system engineers, as well as technical managers in the aerospace industry and the graduate students, and researchers in academia and research laboratory. Proposed a solution to the limitations in global connectivity through a global laser/optical communication system using constellation satellites, UAVs, HAPs and Balloons; Provides both fundamentals and the advanced technology development in establishing global communication connectivity using optical technology and communication constellation satellites; Includes in-depth coverage of the basics of laser/optical communication constellation satellites.

The semiconductor laser, invented over 50 years ago, has had an enormous impact on the digital technologies that now dominate so many applications in business, commerce and the home. The laser is used in all types of optical fibre communication networks that enable the operation of the internet, e-mail, voice and skype transmission. Approximately one billion are produced each year for a market valued at around $5 billion. Nearly all semiconductor lasers now use extremely thin layers of light emitting materials (quantum well lasers). Increasingly smaller nanostructures are used in the form of quantum dots. The impact of the semiconductor laser is surprising in the light of the complexity of the physical processes that determine the operation of every device. This text takes the reader from the fundamental optical gain and carrier recombination processes in quantum wells and quantum dots, through descriptions of common device structures to an understanding of their operating characteristics. It has a consistent treatment of both quantum dot and quantum well structures taking full account of their dimensionality, which provides the reader with a complete account of contemporary quantum confined laser diodes. It includes plenty of illustrations from both model calculations and experimental observations. There are numerous exercises, many designed to give a feel for values of key parameters and experience obtaining quantitative results from equations. Some challenging concepts, previously the subject matter of research monographs, are treated here at this level for the first time.

Lasers are relatively recent additions to the analytical scientist's arsenal. Because of this, many analysts-whether their concern is research or some range of applications-are in need of a tutorial introduction not only to the principles of lasers, their optics, and radiation, but also to their already diverse and burgeoning applications. The artic1es presented in this volume, carefully enhanced and edited from lectures prepared for the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry 1979 Summer Symposium, are designed to provide just such a broad introduction to the subject. Thus, in addition to several excellent chapters on laser fundamentals, there are many practically oriented artic1es dealing with laser analytical methodology, inc1uding techniques based on the absorption oflaser radiation, on laser-induced fluorescence, and on some of the uses of lasers in chemical instru mentation. The first of these sections is pivotal and reflects in part our philosophy in organizing this collection. The authors of the initial chapters were invited not only because of their expertise in the field of lasers and analytical chemistry, but also because their didactic approach to writing and their c1arity of presentation were well known to us. It is our hope that individual readers with little knowledge of lasers will gain from these introductory chapters sufficient information to render the later, more detailed artic1es both useful and meaningful."

The editors have drawn together an exceptional group of internationally known Japanese authorities to prepare the most comprehensive and detailed source of information available on this exciting area of optoelectronics. The book covers the entire area of optoelectronics, going from the theoretical background to advanced devices, materials processing details and specific applications from the standpoints of device physics and engineering.

Lasers are now recognized as practical alternatives to conventional techniques for many industrial applications. After reviewing the basic theory the book provides an insight into equipment technology and applications.

Random lasers are the simplest sources of stimulated emission without cavity, with the feedback provided by scattering in a gain medium. First proposed in the late 1960s, random lasers have grown to a large research field. This book reviews the history and the state of the art of random lasers, provides an outline of the basic models describing their behavior, and describes the recent advances in the field. The major focus of the book is on solid-state random lasers. However, it also briefly describes random lasers based on liquid dyes with scatterers. The chapters of the book are almost independent of each other. So, the scientists or engineers interested in any particular aspect of random lasers can read directly the relevant section. Researchers entering the field of random lasers will find in the book an overview of the field of study. Scientists working in the field can use the book as a reference source.

The recent developement of high power lasers, delivering femtosecond pulses of 20 2 intensities up to 10 W/cm , has led to the discovery of new phenomena in laser interactions with matter. At these enormous laser intensities, atoms, and molecules are exposed to extreme conditions and new phenomena occur, such as the very rapid multi photon ionization of atomic systems, the emission by these systems of very high order harmonics of the exciting laser light, the Coulomb explosion of molecules, and the acceleration of electrons close to the velocity of light. These phenomena generate new behaviour of bulk matter in intense laser fields, with great potential for wide ranging applications which include the study of ultra-fast processes, the development of high-frequency lasers, and the investigation of the properties of plasmas and condensed matter under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. In particular, the concept of the "fast ignitor" approach to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) has been proposed, which is based on the separation of the compression and the ignition phases in laser-driven ICF. The aim of this course on "Atom, Solids and Plasmas in Super-Intense Laser fields" was to bring together senior researchers and students in atomic and molecular physics, laser physics, condensed matter and plasma physics, in order to review recent developments in high-intensity laser-matter interactions. The course was held at the Ettore Majorana International Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice from July 8 to July 14,2000.

Among the many intense light sources, excimer lasers have a unique set of properties that place them at the forefront of tooling for material processing. Their extreme versatility means that they can be used in many areas of materials science and medicine. But three conditions need to be fulfilled in order that their versatility be truly appreciated and exploited: the characteristics and limitations of the sources must be known; the basic excimer laser processes should become reasonably widely known; and problems in search of a solution should be clearly identified. Excimer Lasers covers all three of these points in an instructive and logical way. Probably for the first time, both instrumental and fundamental aspects of excimer laser interaction with matter are presented side-by-side, with examples drawn from the widest range of materials. The articles gathered here are tutorial in their nature, thus making them suitable for a wide readership, from recent graduates and postgraduate students to those established scientists entering the field, all of whom could not find a better, nor more authoritative work with which to start their reading.

This volume contains the proceedings of the first NATO Science Forum "Highlights of the Eighties and Future Prospects in Condensed Matter Physics" (sponsored by the NATO Scientific Affairs Division), which took place in September, 1990, in the pleasant surroundings provided by the Hotel du Palais at Biarritz, France. One hundred distinguished physicists from seventeen countries, including six Nobellaureates, were invited to participate in the four and a half day meeting. Focusing on three evolving frontiers: semiconductor quantum structures, including the subject of the quantumHall effect (QHE), high temperature superconductivity (HiTc) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), the Forum provided an opportunity to evaluate, in depth, each of the frontiers, by reviewing the progress made during the last few years and, more importantly, exploring their implications for the future. Though serious scientists are not "prophets," all of the participants showed a strong interest in this unique format and addressed the questions of future prospects, either by extrapolating from what has been known, or by a stretch of their "educated" imagination.

This volume contains papers presented at the 6th International Workshop on Application of Lasers in Atomic Nuclei Research, LASER 2006, held in Poznan, Poland, May 29-June 01, 2006. Researchers and PhD students interested in recent results in the nuclear structure investigation by laser spectroscopy, the progress of the experimental technique and the future developments in the field will find this volume indispensable.

In 1954, Charles Townes invented the laser's microwave cousin, the maser. The next logical step was to extend the same physical principles to the shorter wavelengths of light, but the idea did not catch fire until October 1957, when Townes asked Gordon Gould about Gould's research on using light to excite thallium atoms. Each took the idea and ran with it. The independent-minded Gould sought the fortune of an independent inventor; the professorial Townes sought the fame of scientific recognition. Townes enlisted the help of his brother-in-law, Arthur Schawlow, and got Bell Labs into the race. Gould turned his ideas into a patent application and a million-dollar defense contract. They soon had company. Ali Javan, one of Townes's former students, began pulling 90-hour weeks at Bell Labs with colleague Bill Bennett. And far away in California a bright young physicist named Ted Maiman became a very dark horse in the race. While Schawlow proclaimed that ruby could never make a laser, Maiman slowly convinced himself it would. As others struggled with recalcitrant equipment and military secrecy, Maiman built a tiny and elegant device that fit in the palm of his hand. His ruby laser worked the first time he tried it, on May 16, 1960, but afterwards he had to battle for acceptance as the man who made the first laser. Beam is a fascinating tale of a remarkable and powerful invention that has become a symbol of modern technology.

This report presents an account of the course "Nonlinear Spectroscopy of Solids: Advances and Applications" held in Erice, Italy, from June 16 to 30, 1993. This meeting was organized by the International School of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy of the "Ettore Majorana" Centre for Scientific Culture. The purpose of this course was to present and discuss physical models, mathematical formalisms, experimental techniques, and applications relevant to the subject of nonlinear spectroscopy of solid state materials. The universal availability and application of lasers in spectroscopy has led to the widespread observation of nonlinear effects in the spectroscopy of materials. Nonlinear spectroscopy encompasses many physical phenomena which have their origin in the monochromaticity, spectral brightness, coherence, power density and tunability of laser sources. Conventional spectroscopy assumes a linear dependence between the applied electromagnetic field and the induced polarization of atoms and molecules. The validity of this assumption rests on the fact that even the most powerful conventional sources of light produce a light intensity which is not strong enough to equalize the rate of stimulated emission and that of the experimentally observed decay. A different situation may arise when laser light sources are used, particularly pulsed lasers. The use of such light sources can make the probability of induced emission comparable to, or even greater than, the probability of the observed decay; in such cases the nonlinearity of the response of the system is revealed by the experimental data and new properties, not detectable by conventional spectroscopy, will emerge.

The introduction of GaAs/ AIGaAs double heterostructure lasers has opened the door to a new age in the application of compound semiconductor materials to microwave and optical technologies. A variety and combination of semiconductor materials have been investigated and applied to present commercial uses with these devices operating at wide frequencies and wavelengths. Semiconductor modulators are typical examples of this technical evolutions and hsve been developed for commercial use. Although these have a long history to date, we are not aware of any book that details this evolution. Consequently, we have written a book to provide a comprehensive account of semiconductor modulators with emphasis on historical details and experimantal reports. The objective is to provide an up-to-date understanding of semiconductor modulators. Particular attention has been paid to multiple quantum well (MQW) modulators operating at long wavelengths, taking into account the low losses and dispersion in silica fibers occuring at around 1.3 and 1.55 mm. At the present time, MQW structures have been investigated but these have not been sufficiently developed to provide characteristic features which would be instructive enough for readers. One problem is the almost daily publication of papers on semiconductor modulators. Not only do these papers provide additional data, but they often modify the interpretations of particular concepts. Almost all chapters refer to the large number of published papers that can be consulted for future study.

Proceedings of a NATO ASI held in Edime, Turkey, September 5-16, 1994

The biomaterials technology industry is already well established in the western world and is growing rapidly within Asian Pacific nations. It is often described as the 'next electronics industry', whilst the laser is described as a 'solution looking for a problem'. This book describes the use of the laser to solve a troublesome and costly problem in a rapidly growing global industry. The authors have spent many years conducting research using laser materials processing and wettability characteristics and have perfected a technique to improve the bio-compatibility of various bone-implant materials using laser irradiation. They have made pioneering discoveries on the subject and established some generic theories and principals that will have a wide range of applications in the biomaterials field.This book: introduces inter-disciplinary research work covering laser materials processing and surface modification of biomaterials for enhanced compatibility; includes highly scientific and novel research material; serves both as a practitioner guide and a reference book; and, covers an exciting and rapidly developing area of technology that is of keen interest to engineers and clinicians alike. "Laser Surface Treatment of Bio-Implant Materials" is rare in providing a reference source that describes specifically a mechanical engineering solution to a biotechnology problem. It serves as both a practitioner guide and a medium to high-level reference text book, and as such is a reference source for the engineer practising or looking to move into the biomaterials field, undergraduate and post graduate students and those conducting bio-related research in either academia or industry. It will prove useful to mechanical engineers, biotechnologists, biomechanical engineers, metallurgists, clinicians and even surgeons.

The Seventh Rochester Conference on Coherence and Quantum Optics was held on the campus of the University of Rochester during the four-day period June 7 - 10, 1996. More than 280 scientists from 33 countries participated. This book contains the Proceedings of the meeting. This Conference differed from the previous six in the series in having only a limited number of oral presentations, in order to avoid too many parallel sessions. Another new feature was the introduction of tutorial lectures. Most contributed papers were presented in poster sessions. The Conference was sponsored by the American Physical Society, by the Optical Society of America, by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics and by the University of Rochester. We wish to express our appreciation to these organizations for their support and we especially extend our thanks to the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics for providing financial assistance to a number of speakers from Third World countries, to enable them to take part in the meeting.