X-Ray Lasers 2004 comprises invited, contributed, and poster papers presented at the 9th International Conference on X-Ray Lasers (ICXRL2004) held in Beijing in May 2004. Some 120 participants from 13 countries and regions met in Beijing to compare results and exchange views on future developments in x-ray lasers and related fields. The book covers the following topics: overviews of x-ray lasers research, collisionally pumped x-ray lasers, capillary discharge-pumped x-ray lasers, OFI and photo-pumped x-ray lasers, high-order harmonics XUV radiation, grazing incidence pumping x-ray lasers, theory and simulations of x-ray lasers and plasma media, free-electron lasers and accelerator-based x-ray sources, alternative pumping schemes for x-ray lasers, applications of x-ray lasers and other bright x-ray sources, x-ray optics and instrumentation, investigations of x-ray laser media, and developments of x-ray laser drivers. X-Ray Lasers 2004 provides not only an overview and an up-to-date progress report on this fast moving field, but also important reference material on which future work can be built.

This volume describes the theory and practical implementation of three techniques for the generation of blue-green light: nonlinear frequency conversion of infrared lasers, upconversion lasers, and wide bandgap semiconductor diode lasers. In addition, it looks at the various applications that have driven the development of compact sources of blue-green light, and reflects on the recent application of these lasers in high-density data storage, color displays, reprographics, and biomedical technology.

Laser photoelectron emission not only allows investigation of interfaces between electrodes and solution, but also provides a method for fast generation of intermediate species in the vicinity of the interface and so permits study of their electrode reactions. Laser Electrochemistry of Intermediates presents the first-ever comprehensive review of this important phenomenon and its electrochemical applications.
The book explores how the innovative method of laser electron emission from metal electrodes resolves two fundamental problems inherent in current methods of intermediate species (IS) generation and detection: difficulty generating IS quickly in the vicinity of the electrode surface and low IS surface concentration. In addition, for the first time, quasi-free and solvated electrons, hydrogen atoms, simple organic and inorganic radicals, and ions with anomalous valence are systematically studied.
Laser Electrochemistry of Intermediates incorporates a unique, two-pronged analytical approach. First, the authors consider the kinetics and thermodynamics of the processes based on the participation of IS in its one-electron stages, thus allowing the assignment of real physical meaning to the electrochemical measurables. Second, they consider electrode reactions side by side with homogeneous reactions of electron transfer, facilitating understanding of the universal theory of electron transfer reactions in polar media as well as the peculiarities of these reactions occurring in the interface between electrode and solution.

New, significant scientific discoveries in laser and photonic technologies, systems perspectives, and integrated design approaches can improve even further the impact in critical areas of challenge. Yet this knowledge is dispersed across several disciplines and research arenas. Laser and Photonic Systems: Design and Integration brings together a multidisciplinary group of experts to increase understanding of the ways in which systems perspectives may influence laser and photonic innovations and application integration.
By bringing together chapters from leading scientists and technologists, industrial and systems engineers, and managers, the book stimulates new thinking that would bring a systems, network, and system-of-systems perspective to bear on laser and photonic systems applications. The chapters challenge you to explore opportunities for revolutionary and broader advancements. The authors emphasize the identification of emerging research and application frontiers where there are promising contributions to lasers, optics, and photonics applications in fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, security, and communications.
The book contains insights from leading researchers, inventors, implementers, and innovators. It explains a variety of techniques, models, and technologies proven to work with laser and photonic systems, their development, design, and integration. Such systems are of growing interest to many organizations, given their promise and potential solutions of grand societal challenges. Lastly, the book helps you leverage the knowledge into exciting new frontiers of successful solutions.

This book focuses on the fundamental concepts and physical and chemical aspects of pulsed laser ablation of solid targets in liquid environments and its applications in the preparation of nanomaterials and fabrication of nanostructures. The areas of focus include basic thermodynamic and kinetic processes of laser ablation in liquids, and its applications in metal and metal oxides nanocrystals synthesis and semiconductor nanostructures fabrication. The book comprises theoretical and experimental analysis of laser ablation in liquids, research methods, and preparation techniques.

Advanced materials are becoming increasingly important as substitutes for traditional materials and as facilitators for new and unique products. They have had a considerable impact on the development of a wide range of strategic technologies. Structural ceramics, biomaterials, composites and intermetallics fall under this category of advanced materials. There may be several additional materials in this category, but this book will only focus on these four types of materials. Even though some of these materials can be machined by conventional methods, material processing with lasers is an expanding field which is drawing attention of everyone in the industry as well as academics. As laser machining offers several advantages such as capabilities for machining the materials that are difficult to machine otherwise and flexibility and automation, the scope for applications of these advanced materials is further extended. Laser Machining of Advanced Materials focuses on the fundamental principles and physical phenomena involved in the laser machining of the above mentioned advanced materials. The book begins with an overview of the various conventional and non-conventional techniques employed in machining followed by a fundamental understanding of the material removal mechanisms involved in laser machining. It then covers the specific topic of laser machining of advanced materials. Understanding of the physics behind laser machining of advanced materials and associated thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer and microstructure evolution is provided. This book also covers the modeling efforts made in this field which enables a better and efficient control of the process for a desired application. The principal audience for this book is undergraduate and graduate students with majors in a variety of disciplines, computational modelers, experimentalists, microscopists and research scientists/associates in national and private research labs and universities worldwide conducting research on laser material interaction and people directly working in laser related industries.

Although the basic principles of lasers have remained unchanged in the past 20 years, there has been a shift in the kinds of lasers generating interest. Providing a comprehensive introduction to the operating principles and applications of lasers, this second edition of the classic book on the subject reveals the latest developments and applications of lasers. Placing more emphasis on applications of lasers and on optical physics, the book's self-contained discussions will appeal to physicists, chemists, optical scientists, engineers, and advanced undergraduate students.

This book focuses mainly on the spectroscopy of laser materials, physics of laser materials, laser crystals and laser glasses. The spectroscopic and laser properties of rare earth and transition metal ion-doped solid state materials are systematically described based on modern quantum optics. The aim of this book is to relate the laser and spectroscopic properties to the structure and chemical composition of materials. It emphasises the nonlinear optical effects in laser materials, which are widely used in high power laser systems. The development of advanced solid state laser devices depends greatly on new laser materials. Much progress has been made recently in the development of new laser materials, and this is summarized in the book.