In this book emphasis is laid on laser including its operation, different types, properties like coherence and monochromaticity, beam propagation, theoretical treatment of atom-field interaction, semi-classical laser theory, non-linear effects, quantum properties, photon concept and coherent states etc. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

This book presents the first comprehensive collection of solved problems in laser physics covering both fundamental and applied aspects of laser science and technology. The framework of the book, including structuring of topics and notations, closely follows that adopted in the Principles of Laser book by Professor O. Svelto. The collection of problems presented in this book appears therefore a natural complement to Svelto's textbook for testing and developing the skills acquired in the reading of the theory; however, it may also be a useful support to any general textbook on laser physics, wherein problems are usually not solved in detail. We remark that this is, to our knowledge, the first book to provide a complete and satisfactory set of solved problems in such a highly developing field of science and technology. The problems fall mainly into three distinct categories: (i) numerical/applied problems, which help the reader to become confident and familiar with the basic concepts and methods of laser physics, and to acquire a feeling for numerical parameters entering in real-world laser systems; (ii) complementary problems, that present in detail demonstrations of some analytical parts not given in the textbook; and (iii) advanced problems, aimed either to provide a deeper understanding of the subject or to cover more recent developments in the field. Audience: This book is primarily intended for undergraduate and graduate students in physics, engineering, and chemistry. However, it may also be a useful tool for industrial professionals working in the field of laser technologies and laser applications, as well as for researchers interested in basic aspects of real-world lasers andrelated fields.

Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces II W. J. Feast, University of Durham, Durham, UK H. S. Munro, Courtaulds Research, Coventry, UK R. W. Richards, University of Durham, Durham, UK This volume presents a collection of review papers, based on the a Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces II International Symposiuma which took place in Durham (UK), July 1991 Compiled here, the papers present an authoritative overview of current technology and research on polymer surfaces, by acknowledged experts in their specialist fields. Individual reviews cover analytical techniques, properties, reactions, modelling and synthesis of surfaces and interfaces. Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces II will be of interest to polymer scientists, surface scientists, chemists, physicists and biologists, working in industrial and academic laboratories. Reviews of the previous volume a Altogether a most useful addition to polymer sciencea ---- Physics Bulletin a The book can be unreservedly recommended to chemists and materials scientists with an interest in adhesion, biomaterials, polymer dispersions and molecular engineeringa ---- Polymer Contents Surface Chemistry of Chemically Resistant Polymers; T. G. Bee, A. J. Dias, N. L. Franchina, B. U. Kolb, K.--W. Lee, P. A. Patton, M. S. Shoichet and T. J. McCarthy Self--assembled Molecular Films as Polymer Surface Models; D. L. Allara, S. V. Atre and A. N. Parikh Non--equilibrium Effects in Polymeric Stabilization; M. E. Cates and J. T. Brooks Ion Beam Analysis of Composition Profiles near Polymer Surfaces and Interfaces; R. A. L. Jones Laser Light Scattering; J. C. Earnshaw Characterization of Interfaces in Polymers and Composites using Raman Spectroscopy; R. J. Young Surface Modification and Analysis of Ultra--high--modulus Polyethylene Fibres for Composites; G. A. George SSIMS ---- An Emeriging Technique for the Surface Chemical Analysis of Polymeric Biomaterials; M. C. Davies Scanning Probe Microscopy ---- Current Issues in the Analysis of Polymeric Biomaterials; M. C. Davies, D. E. Jackson, C. J Roberts, S. J. B. Tendler, K. M. Kreusel, M. J. Wilkins and P. M. Williams Surface Grafting of a Thrombin Substrate on a Polymer Membrane and the Inhibition of Thrombin Activity Leading to Non--thrombogenicity; Y. Ito, L.--S. Liu and Y. Imanishi Acid----Base Effects at Polymer Interfaces; C. J. van Oss

Laser-Beam Interactions with Materials treats, from a physicist's point of view, the wide variety of processes that lasers can induce in materials. Physical phenomena ranging from optics to shock waves are discussed, as are applications in such diverse fields as semiconductor annealing, hole drilling and fusion plasma production. The approach taken emphasizes the fundamental ideas and their interrelations. The newcomer is given the necessary important background material, while the active research worker finds a critical and comprehensive review of the field.

Silver-Halide Recording Materials gives a detailed analysis of the theory, the characteristics, the manufacturing, and the processing methods of silver-halide materials used for the recording of holograms. Emphasis is placed on the selection of suitable silver-halide materials for conventional as well as special holographic applications. A detailed account of current developing and bleaching methods used in the production of silver-halide holograms is given. The author also supplies a large number of recipes for different types of processing baths. The text is complemented by a comprehensive list of references which will facilitate further study. The monograph will be suitable for courses in holography, where the student possesses some background knowledge about the general holographic process and the holographic technique.

This second edition in paperback provides an up-to-date review of the state of the art in different generation processes for ultrashort laser pulses. Inaddition, extensive applications in a wide range of fields - in physics,engineering, chemistry, and biology - are discussed: Eight chapters dealwith the following topics: -the generation of picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses -nonlinear wave interactions - new investigations in solid-state physics - recent progress in optoelectronics - advances in coherent material excitations - ultrafast vibrational lifetimes and energy redistribution in liquids - new observations of chemical reactions in the liquid state - the primary processes of important biological systems The book is essential reading for scientists and engineers who want to know what is going on in this rapidly advancing field. It should also interest graduate students and others who seek an introduction to laserpulses.

In recent decades, there has been a phenomenal growth in the field of photonic crystal research and has emerged as an interdisciplinary area. Photonic crystals are usually nanostructured electromagnetic media consisting of periodic variation of dielectric constant, which prohibit certain electromagnetic wave frequency ranges called photonic bandgaps to propagate through them. Photonic crystals elicited numerous interesting features by unprecedented control of light and their exploitation is a promising tool in nanophotonics and designing optical components. The book 'Advances in Photonic Crystals and Devices' is designed with 15 chapters with introductory as well as research and application based contents. It covers the following highlighted features: Basics of photonic crystals and photonic crystal fibers Different theoretical as well as experimental approaches Current research advances from around the globe Nonlinear optics and super-continuum generation in photonic crystal fibers Magnetized cold plasma photonic crystals Liquid crystal defect embedded with graphene layers Biophysics and biomedical applications as optical sensors Two-dimensional photonic crystal demultiplexer Optical logic gates using photonic crystals A large number of references The goal of this book is to draw the background in understanding, fabrication and characterization of photonic crystals using a variety of materials and their applications in design of several optical devices. Though the book is useful as a reference for the researchers working in the area of photonics, optical computing and fabrication of nanophotonic devices, it is intended for the beginners like students pursuing their masters' degree in photonics.

This book covers the entire field of tunable lasers, with the exception of dye lasers. Following an introductory chapter on common general principles, the remaining chapters - all written by leading experts in the field - each treat a particular class of tunable laser or process. In each case, a theoretical treatment is combined with a detailed practical description of the lasers and their operation. The book is written so as to be readily accessible to researchers and students alike. It is especially intended to enable the non-expert to choose the most appropriate tunable laser for a specific application. In this second edition an added chapter with extensive references to recent literature reviews the advances that haveoccured since the publication of the original edition.

Enhancement cavities are passive optical resonators in which continuous-wave laser radiation or pulses of a frequency comb are coherently overlapped, allowing for a power and intensity scaling of up to several orders of magnitude. A prominent application is the table-top generation of bright, laser-like radiation in spectral regions where direct laser action is inefficient or not available at all, via intracavity nonlinear optical processes. However, to exploit the full capacity of this technique further progress is needed. This thesis covers central problems of enhancement cavities, such as finding limitations in scaling the circulating power, measuring cavity parameters with high accuracy, tailoring transverse modes and coupling out radiation generated in the cavity. Unprecedented intracavity laser powers were demonstrated, surpassing previous results by an order of magnitude. As an application, harmonics of the fundamental 1040-nm radiation up to the 21st order are generated. Besides reporting these fine experimental results, the thesis provides an excellent introduction into the physics of enhancement cavities, supported by more than 140 references.

The third edition of Dye Lasers has been prepared in response to demand for an updated version of this well-known Topics volume. The classic chapters on continuous-wave dye lasers and properties of dye lasers are unchanged, but are now complemented by an additional chapter on continuous-wave dye lasers that takes account of recent advances. The chapters on principles of operation and mode-locking of dye lasers have been updated. Finally, the chapter on applications, which was originally written when a synopsis was still possible, has been eliminated completely in this edition, since nowadays dye lasers have penetrated almost all fields of science and technology and applications have become innumerable. In its place there is a new chapter on wavemeters. This book provides an excellent introduction to dye lasers and contains much useful information for scientists and engineers who deal with their applications.

This book is devoted to the investigations of non-stationary electromagnetic processes. The investigations are undertaken analytically mainly using the Volterra integral equations approach. The book contains a systematic statement of this approach for the investigations of electrodynamics phenomena in the time domain and new results and applications in microwave techniques and photonics. Particular consideration is given to electromagnetic transients in time-varying media and their potential applications. The approach is formulated and electromagnetic phenomena are investigated in detail for a hollow metal waveguide, which contains moving dielectric or plasma-bounded medium, and dielectric waveguides with time-varying medium inside a core.

It was a greatest pleasure for me to learn that Springer-Verlag wished to produce a second edition of my book. In this connection, Dr. H. Lotsch asked me to send hirn a list of misprints, mistakes, and inaccuracies that had been noticed in the first edition and to make corresponding corrections without disturbing the layout or the typo graphy too much. I accepted this opportunity with alacrity and, moreover, found some free places in the text where I was able to insert some concise, up-to-date information about new lasing compounds and stimulated emission channels. It was also possible to increase the number of reference citations. The reader of the second edition hence has access to more complete data on insulating laser crystals. However, sections on laser-crystal physics have not been updated, because a satisfactory de scription of the progress made in the last ten years in this field would have required the sections to be extended enormously or even a new book to be written. Moscow, July 1989 ALEXANDER A. KAMINSKII Preface to the First Edition The greatest reward for an author is the feeling of satisfaction he gets when it becomes c1ear to hirn that readers find his work useful. After my book appeared in the USSR in 1975 I received many letters from fellow physicists inc1uding colleagues from Western European countries and the USA."

The book provides a unique overview on laser techniques and applications for the purpose of improving adhesion by altering surface chemistry and topography/morphology of the substrate. It details laser surface modification techniques for a wide range of industrially relevant materials (plastics, metals, ceramics, composites) with the aim to improve and enhance their adhesion to other materials. The joining of different materials is of critical importance in the fabrication of many and varied products.

This book contains a selection of papers and articles in instrumentation previously pub lished in technical periodicals and journals of learned societies. Our selection has been made to illustrate aspects of current practice and applications of instrumentation. The book does not attempt to be encyclopaedic in its coverage of the subject, but to provide some examples of general transduction techniques, of the sensing of particular measurands, of components of instrumentation systems and of instrumentation practice in two very different environments, the food industry and the nuclear power industry. We have made the selection particularly to provide papers appropriate to the study of the Open University course T292 Instrumentation. The papers have been chosen so that the book covers a wide spectrum of instrumentation techniques. Because of this, the book should be of value not only to students of instrumen tation, but also to practising engineers and scientists wishing to glean ideas from areas of instrumentation outside their own fields of expertise. In recent years instrumentation has emerged as a discipline in its own right rather than as an adjunct to traditional science and engineering disciplines. This development has been driven partly by the needs of industries for new and improved sensing techniques, and partly by new technological developments such as microprocessors, optical fibres and in tegrated silicon sensors which are revolutionising sensing and signal processing practice."

In umfangreichen morphologischen und funktionellen experimentellen Untersuchungen konnte nachgewiesen werden, daB mit dem Neodym-YAG- Laser ein FistelverschluB moglich ist. Damit steht ein Behandlungsverfahren zur Verfugung, Neugeborenen mit osophago-trachealen H-Fisteln und Sauglingen mit einem Rezidiv einer osophago-trachealen Fistel eine komplizierte Operation zu ersparen. Eine weitere Indikation sind Kinder mit isolierter rekto-urethraler bzw. rekto-vestibularer Fistel. Der nachste Schritt ist die klinische Anwendung der Laserokklusion. Histologische und histochemische Untersuchungen an parenchymatosen Organen nach Einsatz des Neodym-YAG- Lasers - Eine tierexperimentelle Studie K.H. DIETL, B. BOCK, H. MEIER, E. UNSOLD*, G.H. WILLITAL Chirurgische Universitats Klinik Erlangen (Dir. Prof. Dr. F.P. Gall) Kinderchirurgie (Prof. Dr. G.H. Willital) * Gesellschaft flir Strahlen- und Umweltforschung mbH Munchen, Abteilung Angewandte Optik (Leiter: Prof. Dr. W. Waidelich) EINLEITUNG Die Wechselwirkung der Laserstrahlung mit Gewebe besteht in erster Linie in thermischen Effekten. Die Warme, die bei der Absorption von Laserstrahlung entsteht, bewirkt die Denaturierung von EiweiBstoffen, Hamoglobin z.B. koaguliert bei 63 C innerhalb von Sekunden. Die Folge der Koagulation ist unter anderem der VerschluB von GefaBen. Der Laserschnitt ist daher ein Verfahren mit minimalem Blutverlust.

In recent years, investments by cloud companies in mega data centers and associated network infrastructure has created a very active and dynamic segment in the optical components and modules market. Optical interconnect technologies at high speed play a critical role for the growth of mega data centers, which flood the networks with unprecedented amount of data traffic. Datacenter Connectivity Technologies: Principles and Practice provides a comprehensive and in-depth look at the development of various optical connectivity technologies which are making an impact on the building of data centers. The technologies span from short range connectivity, as low as 100 meters with multi-mode fiber (MMF) links inside data centers, to long distances of hundreds of kilometers with single-mode fiber (SMF) links between data centers. This book is the first of its kind to address various advanced technologies connecting data centers. It represents a collection of achievements and the latest developments from well-known industry experts and academic researchers active in this field. Technical topics covered in this book include: - Mega data center requirements - High volume VCSELs - Directly modulated lasers - Electro-absorption modulated lasers - Pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) - Discrete Multi-Tone modulation (DMT) - Optical Duobinary Transmission - Optical fibers and connectors - Mach-zenhder modulators - Silicon photonics - Optical waveguide devices and packaging - Testing and measurements - Advanced modulation formats - Optical coherent networks - High-speed IC design & packaging

This text is intended to provide an in-depth, self-contained, treatment of optical waveguide theory. We have attempted to emphasize the underlying physical processes, stressing conceptual aspects, and have developed the mathematical analysis to parallel the physical intuition. We also provide comprehensive supplementary sections both to augment any deficiencies in mathematical background and to provide a self-consistent and rigorous mathematical approach. To assist in. understanding, each chapter con centrates principally on a single idea and is therefore comparatively short. Furthermore, over 150 problems with complete solutions are given to demonstrate applications of the theory. Accordingly, through simplicity of approach and numerous examples, this book is accessible to undergraduates. Many fundamental topics are presented here for the first time, but, more importantly, the material is brought together to give a unified treatment of basic ideas using the simplest approach possible. To achieve such a goal required a maturation of the subject, and thus the text was intentionally developed over a protracted period of the last 10 years."

This concise and accessible book provides a detailed introduction to the fundamental principles of atomic physics at an undergraduate level. Concepts are explained in an intuitive way and the book assumes only a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and electromagnetism. With a compact format specifically designed for students, the first part of the book covers the key principles of the subject, including the quantum theory of the hydrogen atom, radiative transitions, the shell model of multi-electron atoms, spin-orbit coupling, and the effects of external fields. The second part provides an introduction to the four key applications of atomic physics: lasers, cold atoms, solid-state spectroscopy and astrophysics. This highly pedagogical text includes worked examples and end of chapter problems to allow students to test their knowledge, as well as numerous diagrams of key concepts, making it perfect for undergraduate students looking for a succinct primer on the concepts and applications of atomic physics.

High-resolution x-ray diffraction and scattering is a key tool for structure analysis not only in bulk materials but also at surfaces and buried interfaces from the sub-nanometer range to micrometers. This book offers an overview of diffraction and scattering methods currently available at modern synchrotron sources and illustrates bulk and interface investigations of solid and liquid matter with up-to-date research examples. It presents important characteristics of the sources, experimental set-up, and new detector developments. The book also considers future exploitation of x-ray free electron lasers for diffraction applications.

This book treats the interaction of radiation with matter, particular attention being paid to the laser. Knowledge is assumed of the usual half-year introduction of quantum mechanics found in undergraduate physics curricula. The material can be covered in two semesters, or, alternatively, the first part (Chaps 1-13) can be used as a one-semester course in which quantum mechanical aspects of the electromagnetic field are ignored. Each chapter is accompanied by problems that illustrate the text and give useful (occasionally new) results. Existing laser media are intrinsically quantum mechanical and are most easily studied with the quantum theory. Understanding the laser along these lines enlivens one's understanding of quantum mechanics itself. In fact, the material constitutes a viable, applied alternative for the usual second and third semesters of quantum mechanics.

This book explores new principles of Self-Initiating Volume Discharge for creating high-energy non-chain HF(DF) lasers, as well as the creation of highly efficient lasers with output energy and radiation power in the spectral region of 2.6-5 m. Today, sources of high-power lasing in this spectral region are in demand in various fields of science and technology including remote sensing of the atmosphere, medicine, biological imaging, precision machining and other special applications. These applications require efficient laser sources with high pulse energy, pulsed and average power, which makes the development of physical fundamentals of high-power laser creation and laser complexes of crucial importance. High-Energy Ecologically Safe HF/DF Lasers: Physics of Self-Initiated Volume Discharge-Based HF/DF Lasers examines the conditions of formation of SSVD, gas composition and the mode of energy input into the gas on the efficiency and radiation energy of non-chain HF(DF) lasers. Key Features: Shares research results on SSVD in mixtures of non-chain HF(DF) lasers Studies the stability and dynamics of the development of SSVD Discusses the effect of the gas composition and geometry of the discharge gap (DG) on its characteristics Proposes recommendations for gas composition and for the method of obtaining SSVD in non-chain HF(DF) lasers Develops simple and reliable wide-aperture non-chain HF(DF) lasers and investigates their characteristics Investigates the possibilities of expanding the lasing spectrum of non-chain HF(DF) lasers

This new edition details the important features of beam shaping and exposes the subtleties of the theory and techniques that are best demonstrated through proven applications. New chapters cover illumination light shaping in optical lithography; optical micro-manipulation of live mammalian cells through trapping, sorting, and transfection; and laser beam shaping through fiber optic beam delivery. The book discusses applications in lithography, laser printing, optical data storage, stable isotope separation, and spatially dispersive lasers. It also provides a history of the field and includes extensive references.

Continuing in the steps of its predecessors, the fourth edition of Practical Holography provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource available. Focused on practical techniques in holography at all levels, it avoids any unnecessary mathematical theory. Features of the Fourth Edition Highlights new information on color holograms, sensitive materials, and state-of-the-art processing techniques Includes new chapters and revisions integrating information on digital holography Adds a new appendix on the methods of non-holographic 3D imaging Restores and updates the glossary of terms Outlines a timeline for holography, from the beginnings of understanding the wave model for light up to the present day After nearly 12 years since the previous edition, this book is a vital manual and reference for holography professionals and enthusiasts. It is designed for the scientist, technologist, artist, and serious hobbyist alike, covering every aspect of the field from basic set-up to use of available instruments.

This reference book provides a fully integrated novel approach to the development of high-power, single-transverse mode, edge-emitting diode lasers by addressing the complementary topics of device engineering, reliability engineering and device diagnostics in the same book, and thus closes the gap in the current book literature. Diode laser fundamentals are discussed, followed by an elaborate discussion of problem-oriented design guidelines and techniques, and by a systematic treatment of the origins of laser degradation and a thorough exploration of the engineering means to enhance the optical strength of the laser. Stability criteria of critical laser characteristics and key laser robustness factors are discussed along with clear design considerations in the context of reliability engineering approaches and models, and typical programs for reliability tests and laser product qualifications. Novel, advanced diagnostic methods are reviewed to discuss, for the first time in detail in book literature, performance- and reliability-impacting factors such as temperature, stress and material instabilities. Further key features include: * practical design guidelines that consider also reliability related effects, key laser robustness factors, basic laser fabrication and packaging issues; * detailed discussion of diagnostic investigations of diode lasers, the fundamentals of the applied approaches and techniques, many of them pioneered by the author to be fit-for-purpose and novel in the application; * systematic insight into laser degradation modes such as catastrophic optical damage, and a wide range of technologies to increase the optical strength of diode lasers; * coverage of basic concepts and techniques of laser reliability engineering with details on a standard commercial high power laser reliability test program. Semiconductor Laser Engineering, Reliability and Diagnostics reflects the extensive expertise of the author in the diode laser field both as a top scientific researcher as well as a key developer of high-power highly reliable devices. With invaluable practical advice, this new reference book is suited to practising researchers in diode laser technologies, and to postgraduate engineering students. Dr. Peter W. Epperlein is Technology Consultant with his own semiconductor technology consulting business Pwe-PhotonicsElectronics-IssueResolution in the UK. He looks back at a thirty years career in cutting edge photonics and electronics industries with focus on emerging technologies, both in global and start-up companies, including IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies, Philips/NXP, Essient Photonics and IBM/JDSU Laser Enterprise. He holds Pre-Dipl. (B.Sc.), Dipl. Phys. (M.Sc.) and Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) degrees in physics, magna cum laude, from the University of Stuttgart, Germany. Dr. Epperlein is an internationally recognized expert in compound semiconductor and diode laser technologies. He has accomplished R&D in many device areas such as semiconductor lasers, LEDs, optical modulators, quantum well devices, resonant tunneling devices, FETs, and superconducting tunnel junctions and integrated circuits. His pioneering work on sophisticated diagnostic research has led to many world s first reports and has been adopted by other researchers in academia and industry. He authored more than seventy peer-reviewed journal papers, published more than ten invention disclosures in the IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, has served as reviewer of numerous proposals for publication in technical journals, and has won five IBM Research Division Awards. His key achievements include the design and fabrication of high-power, highly reliable, single mode diode lasers. Book Reviews Semiconductor Laser Engineering, Reliability and Diagnostics: A Practical Approach to High Power and Single Mode Devices . By Peter W. Epperlein Prof. em. Dr. Heinz Jackel, High Speed Electronics and Photonics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, Switzerland The book Semiconductor Laser Engineering, Reliability and Diagnostics by Dr. P.W. Epperlein is a landmark in the recent literature on semiconductor lasers because it fills a longstanding gap between many excellent books on laser theory and the complex and challenging endeavor to fabricate these devices reproducibly and reliably in an industrial, real world environment. Having worked myself in the early research and development of high power semiconductor lasers, I appreciate the competent, complete and skillful presentation of these three highly interrelated topics, where small effects have dramatic consequences on the success of a final product, on the ultimate performance and on the stringent reliability requirements, which are the name of the game. As the title suggests the author addresses three tightly interwoven and critical topics of state-of-the-art power laser research. The three parts are: device and mode stability engineering (chapter 1, 2), reliability mechanisms and reliability assessment strategies (chapter 3, 4, 5, 6) and finally material and device diagnostics (chapter 7, 8, 9) all treated with a strong focus on the implementation. This emphasis on the complex practical aspects for a large-scale power laser fabrication is a true highlight of the book. The subtle interplay between laser design, reliability strategies, advanced failure analysis and characterization techniques are elaborated in a very rigorous and scientific way using a very clear and easy to read representation of the complex interrelation of the three major topics. I will abstain from trying to provide a complete account of all the topics but mainly concentrate on the numerous highlights. The first part 1 Laser Engineering is divided in two chapters on basic electronic-optical, structural, material and resonator laser engineering on the one side, and on single mode control and stability at very high, still reliable power-levels with the trade-off between mirror damage, single mode stability on the other side. To round up the picture less well-known concepts and the state-of-the-art of large-area lasers, which can be forced into single-mode operation, are reviewed carefully. The subtle and complex interplay, which is challenging to optimize for a design for reliability and low stress as a major boundary condition is crucial for the design. The section gives a rather complete and well-referenced account of all relevant aspects, relations and trade-offs for understanding the rest of the book. The completeness of the presentation on power laser diode design based on basic physical and plausible arguments is mainly based on analytic mathematical relations as well as experiments providing a new and well-balanced addition for the power diode laser literature in particular. Modern 2D self-consistent electro-optical laser modeling including carrier hole burning and thermal effects this is important because the weak optical guiding and gain-discrimination depend critically on rather small quantities and effects, which are difficult to optimize experimentally is used in the book for simulation results, but is not treated separately. The novel and really original, gap-filling bulk of the book is elaborated by the author in a very clear way in the following four chapters in the part 2 Laser Reliability on laser degradation physics and mirror design and passivation at high power, followed then by two very application oriented chapters on reliability design engineering and practical reliability strategies and implementation procedures. This original combination of integral design and reliability aspects which are mostly neglected in standard literature is certainly a major plus of this book. I liked this second section as a whole, because it provides excellent insights in degradation physics on a high level and combines it in an interesting and skillful way with the less glamorous (unfortunately) but highly relevant reliability science and testing strategies, which is particularly important for devices operating at extreme optical stresses with challenging lifetime requirements in a real word environment. Finally, the last part 3 Laser Diagnostics comprising three chapters, is devoted mainly to advanced experimental diagnostics techniques for material integrity, mechanical stress, deep level defects, various dynamic laser degradation effects, surface- and interface quality, and most importantly heating and disordering of mirrors and mirror coatings. The topics of characterization techniques comprising micro-Raman- and micro-thermoreflectance-probing, 2K photoluminescence spectroscopy, micro-electroluminescence and photoluminescence scanning, and deep-level-transient spectroscopy have been pioneered by the author for the specific applications over many years guaranteeing many competent and well represented insights. These techniques are brilliantly discussed and the information distributed in many articles by the author has been successfully unified in a book form. In my personal judgment and liking, I consider the parts 2 and 3 on reliability and diagnostics as the most valuable and true novel contribution of the book, which in combination with the extremely well-covered laser design of part 1 clearly fill the gap in the current diode laser literature, which in this detail has certainly been neglected in the past. In summary, I can highly recommend this excellent, well-organized and clearly written book to readers who are already familiar with basic diode laser theory and who are active in the academic and industrial fabrication and characterization of semiconductor lasers. Due to its completeness, it also serves as an excellent reference of the current state-of-the-art in reliability engineering and device and material diagnostics. Needless to mention that the quality of the book, its representations and methodical structure meet the highest expectation and are certainly a tribute from the long and broad experience of the author in academic laser science and the industrial commercialization of high power diode lasers. In my opinion, this book was a pleasure to read and due to its quality and relevance deserves a large audience in the power diode laser community! Prof. em. Dr. Heinz Jackel, High Speed Electronics and Photonics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich, Switzerland June 16, 2013 ========================================== Semiconductor Laser Engineering, Reliability and Diagnostics: A Practical Approach to High Power and Single Mode Devices . By Peter W. Epperlein Dr. Chung-en Zah, Research Director, Semiconductor Technologies Research, S&T Division, Corning Incorporate, Corning NY, USA This book covers for the first time the three closely interrelated key laser areas of engineering (design), reliability and diagnostics in one book, written by the well-known practitioner in cutting-edge optoelectronics industries, Dr. Peter W. Epperlein. The book closes the gap in the current book literature and is thus a unique and excellent example of how to merge design, reliability and diagnostics aspects in a very professional, profound and complete manner. All physical and technological principles, concepts and practical aspects required for developing and fabricating highly-reliable high-power single-mode laser products are precisely specified and skilfully formulated along with all the necessary equations, figures, tables and worked-out examples making it easy to follow through the nine chapters. Hence, this unique book is a milestone in the diode laser literature and is an excellent reference book not only for diode laser researchers and engineers, but also diode laser users. The engineering part starts with a very informative and clear, well-presented account of all necessary basic diode laser types, principles, parameters and characteristics for an easy and quick understanding of laser functionality within the context of the book. Along with an elaborate and broad discussion of relevant laser material systems, applications, typical output powers, power-limiting factors and reliability tradeoffs, basic fabrication and packaging technologies, this excellent introductory section is well suited to become quickly and easily familiar with practical aspects and issues of diode laser technologies. Of special importance and high usefulness is the first analytic and quantitative discussion in a book on issues of coupling laser power into optical single mode fibers. The second section discusses in a well-balanced, competent and skilful way waveguide topics such as basic high-power design approaches, transverse vertical and lateral waveguide concepts, stability of the fundamental transverse lateral mode and fundamental mode waveguide optimization techniques by considering detrimental effects such as heating, carrier injection, spatial hole burning, lateral current spreading and gain profile variations. Less well-known approaches to force large-area lasers into a single mode operation are well-identified and carefully discussed in depth and breadth. All these topics are elaborated in a very complete, rigorous and scientific way and are clearly articulated and easy to read. In particular, the book works out the complex interaction between the many different effects to optimize high-power single-mode performance at ultimate reliability and thus is of great benefit to every researcher and engineer engaged in this diode laser field. Another novelty and highlight is, for the first time ever in book form, a comprehensive yet concise discussion of diode laser reliability related issues. These are elaborated in four distinct chapters comprising laser degradation physics and modes, optical strength enhancement approaches including mirror passivation/coating and non-absorbing mirror technologies, followed by two highly relevant product-oriented chapters on reliability design engineering concepts and techniques and an elaborate reliability test plan for laser chip and module product qualification. This original and novel approach to link laser design to reliability aspects and requirements provides both, most useful insight into degradation processes such as catastrophic optical mirror damage on a microscopic scale, and a wide selection of effective remedial actions. These accounts, which are of highest significance for lasers operating at the optical stress limit due to extremely high output power densities and most demanding lifetime requirements are very professionally prepared and discussed in an interesting, coherent and skilful manner. The diagnostics part, consisting of three very elaborate chapters, is most unique and novel with respect to other diode laser books. It discusses for the first time ever on a very high level and in a competent way studies on material integrity, impurity trapping effects, mirror and cavity temperatures, surface- and interface quality, mirror facet disorder effects, mechanical stress and facet coating instability, and diverse laser temperature effects, dynamic laser degradation effects and mirror temperature maps. Of highest significance to design, performance and reliability are the various correlations established between laser device and material parameters. The most different and sophisticated experiments, carried out by the author at micrometer spatial resolutions and at temperatures as low as 2K, provide highly valuable insights into laser and material quality parameters, and reveal for the first time the origins of high power limitations on an atomic scale due to local heating effects and deep level defects. It is of great benefit, that the experimental techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, various luminescence techniques, thermoreflectance and deep-level transient spectroscopy, pioneered by the author for the specific experiments on lasers, are discussed with great expertise in depth and breadth, and the numerous paper articles published by the author are now represented in this book. The book has an elaborate table of contents and index, which are very useful, over 200 illustrative figures and tables, and extensive lists of references to all technical topics at the end of each of the nine chapters, which make it easy to follow from cover to cover or by jumping in at random areas of special interest. Moreover, experimental and theoretical concepts are always illustrated by practical examples and data. I can highly recommend this extremely relevant, well-structured and well-formulated book to all practising researchers in industrial and academic diode laser R&D environments and to post-graduate engineering students interested in the actual problems of designing, manufacturing, testing, characterising and qualifying diode lasers. Due to its completeness and novel approach to combine design, reliability and diagnostics in the same book, it can serve as an ideal reference book as well, and it deserves to be welcomed wordwide by the addressed audience. Dr. Chung-en Zah, Research Director, Semiconductor Technologies Research, S&T Division, Corning Incorporate, Corning NY, USA =========================================== Semiconductor Laser Engineering, Reliability and Diagnostics: A Practical Approach to High Power and Single Mode Devices . By Peter W. Epperlein Cordinatore Prof. Lorenzo Pavesi, UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TRENTO, Dipartimento di Fisica / Laboratorio di Nanoscienze This book represents a well thought description of three fundamental aspects of laser technology: the functioning principles, the reliability and the diagnostics. From this point of view, and, as far as I know, this is a unique example of a book where all these aspects are merged together resulting in a well-balanced presentation. This helps the reader to move with ease between different concepts since they are presented in a coherent manner and with the same terminology, symbols and definitions. The book reads well. Despite the subtitle indicates that it is a practical approach, the book is also correct from a formal point of view and presents the necessary equations and derivations to understand both the physical mechanisms and the practicalities via a set of useful formulas. In addition, there is the more important aspect of many real-life examples of how a laser is actually manufactured and which the relevant parameters that determine its behaviour are. It impresses the amounts of information that are given in the book: this would be more typical of a thick handbook on semiconductor laser than of an agile book. Dr. Epperlein was able to identify the most important concepts and to present them in a clear though concise way. I am teaching a course on Optoelectronics and I'm going to advise students to refer to this book, because it has all the necessary concepts and derivations for a systematic understanding of semiconductor lasers with many worked-out examples, which will help the student to grasp the actual problems of designing, manufacturing, testing and using semiconductor lasers. All the various concepts are joined to very useful figures, which, if provided to instructors as files, can be a useful add-on for the use of the book as text for teaching. Concepts are always detailed with numbers to give a feeling of their practical use. In conclusion, I do find the book suitable for my teaching duties and will refer it to my students. Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Pavesi, Head of the Department of Physics, Head of the Nanoscience Laboratory, University of Trento, Italy 31 May 2013 =========================================== Semiconductor Laser Engineering, Reliability and Diagnostics: A Practical Approach to High Power and Single Mode Devices . By Peter W. Epperlein Robert W. Herrick, Ph.D., Senior Component Reliability Engineer, Intel Corp., Santa Clara, California, USA Dr. Epperlein has done the semiconductor laser community a great service, by releasing the most complete book on the market on the practical issues of how to make reliable semiconductor lasers. While dozens of books have been written over the past couple of decades on semiconductor laser design, only a handful have been written on semiconductor laser reliability. Prior to the release of this book, perhaps 40% of the material could be obtained elsewhere by combining five books: one on laser design, one on laser reliability, one on reliability calculations, and a couple of laser review books. Another 40% could be pieced together by collecting 50 -100 papers on the subjects of laser design, laser fabrication, characterization, and reliability. The remaining 20% have not previously been covered in any comprehensive way. Only the introductory material in the first half of the first chapter has good coverage elsewhere. The large majority of the knowledge in this book is generally held as trade secret by those with the expertise in the field, and most of those in the know are not free to discuss. The author was fortunate enough to work for the first half of his career in the IBM research labs, with access to unparalleled resources, and the ability to publish his work without trade secret restrictions. The results are still at the cutting edge of our understanding of semiconductor laser reliability today, and go well beyond the empirical black box approach many use of try everything, and see what works. The author did a fine job of pulling together material from many disparate fields. Dr. Epperlein has particular expertise in high power single mode semiconductor lasers, and those working on those type of lasers will be especially interested in this book, as there has never been a book published on the fabrication and qualification of such lasers before. But those in almost any field of semiconductor lasers will learn items of interest about device design, fabrication, reliability, and characterization. Unlike most other books, which intend to convey the scientific findings or past work of the author, this one is written more as a how to manual, which should make it more accessible and useful to development engineers and researchers in the field. It also has over 200 figures, which make it easier to follow. As with many books of this type, it is not necessary to read it from cover-to-cover; it is best skimmed, with deep diving into any areas of special interest to the reader. The book is remarkable also for how comprehensive it is even experts will discover something new and useful. Dr. Epperlein s book is an essential read for anyone looking to develop semiconductor lasers for anything other than pure research use, and I give it my highest recommendation. Robert W. Herrick, Ph.D., Senior Component Reliability Engineer, Intel Corp., Santa Clara, California, USA