Methods of design and fabrication of high-power diode lasers using proven semiconductor technologies are described in this book. The latter include epitaxy and optical lithography, mounting on heat sinks, beam forming with micro-optics and coupling to optical fibers, and reliability testing. Direct applications of high-power diode lasers in materials processing and for pumping hitherto unknown solid-state laser systems are presented in a comprehensive fashion. Thus, this book is an invaluable source of information for all scientists and engineers designing laser systems and applying the laser as a reliable and economic tool in a multitude of environments.

Dealing with astrophysics derived from the radiation emitted by radioactive atomic nuclei, this book describes the different methods used to measure cosmic radio-isotopes. It demonstrates how this astronomical window has contributed to the understanding of the sources and the chemical evolution of cosmic gas. Reference materials and explanations are included for students in advanced stages of their education. Nuclear reactions in different sites across the universe lead to the production of stable and unstable nuclei. Their abundances can be measured through different methods, allowing to study the various nuclear processes taking place in cosmic environments. Nucleosynthesis is the cosmic formation of new nuclear species, starting from hydrogen and helium resulting from the big bang origins. Stars create and eject synthesized nuclei during their evolution and explosions. Incorporation of the new interstellar composition into next-generation stars characterises the compositional (chemical) evolution of cosmic gas in and between galaxies. Radioactive species have unique messages about how this occurs. Since the first Edition of this book published in 2011 with the title Astronomy with Radioactivities, long-awaited new direct observations of supernova radioactivity have been made and are now addressed in two updated chapters dealing with supernovae. In this second Edition, the advances of recent years beyond one-dimensional treatments of stellar structure and stellar explosions towards 3-dimensional models have been included, and led to significant re-writings in Chapters 3-5. The sections on the Solar System origins have been re-written to account for new insights into the evolution of giant molecular clouds. The chapter on diffuse radioactivities now also includes material measurements of radioactivities in the current solar system, and their interpretations for recent nucleosynthesis activity in our Galaxy. Significant new results on gamma-rays from positron annihilations have been accounted for in that chapter, and led to new links with nucleosynthesis sources as well as interstellar transport processes. A new chapter now provides a description of interstellar processes often called 'chemical evolution', thus linking the creation of new nuclei to their abundance observations in gas and stars. The experimental / instrumental chapters on nuclear reaction measurements, on gamma-ray telescopes, and pre-solar grain laboratories have been updated. Moreover, new windows of astronomy that have been opened up in recent years have been included in the discussions of the multi-messenger approach that broadens the basis for astrophysical insights.

R. DIEHL, R. KALLENBACH, E. PARIZOT and R. VON STEIGER / The Astrophysics of Galactic Cosmic Rays 3 I: KEY OBSERVATIONS ON GALACTIC COSMIC RAYS M. E. WIEDENBECK, N. E. YANASAK, A. c. CUMMINGS, AJ. DAVIS, I. S. GEORGE, R. A. LESKE, R. A. MEWALDT, E. C. STONE, P. L. HINK, M. H. ISRAEL, M. LIJOWSKI, E. R. CHRISTIAN and TT VON ROSENVINGE / The Origin of Primary Cosmic Rays: Constraints from ACE Elemental and Isotopic Composition Observations 15 R. A. MEWALDT, N. E. YANASAK, M. E. WIEDENBECK, AJ. DAVIS, w. R. BINNS, E. R. CHRISTIAN, A. C. CUMMINGS, P. L. HINK, R. A. LESKE, S. M. NIEBUR, E. C. STONE and TT VON ROSENVINGE / Radioactive Clocks and Cosmic-Ray Transport in the Galaxy 27 J. J. CONNELL / Cosmic-Ray Composition as Observed by Ulysses 41 R. RAMATY, R. E. LINGENFELTER and B. KOZLOVSKY / Spallogenic Light Elements and Cosmic-Ray Origin 51 E. PARIZOT / Galactic Cosmic Rays and the Light Elements 61 G. MEYNET, M. ARNOULD, G. PAULUS and A. MAEDER / Wolf-Rayet Star Nucleosynthesis and the Isotopic Composition of the Galactic Cosmic Rays 73 S. P. SWORDY / The Energy Spectra and Anisotropies of Cosmic Rays 85 G. TARLE and M. SCHUBNELL / Antiparticles 95 D. MULLER / Cosmic Rays Beyond the Knee 105 II: LESSONS FROM THE HELIOSPHERE G. M. MASON / Heliospheric Lessons for Galactic Cosmic-Ray Acceleration 119 R. A.

Dealing with astrophysics derived from the radiation emitted by radioactive atomic nuclei, this book describes the different methods used to measure cosmic radio-isotopes. It demonstrates how this astronomical window has contributed to the understanding of the sources and the chemical evolution of cosmic gas. Reference materials and explanations are included for students in advanced stages of their education. Nuclear reactions in different sites across the universe lead to the production of stable and unstable nuclei. Their abundances can be measured through different methods, allowing to study the various nuclear processes taking place in cosmic environments. Nucleosynthesis is the cosmic formation of new nuclear species, starting from hydrogen and helium resulting from the big bang origins. Stars create and eject synthesized nuclei during their evolution and explosions. Incorporation of the new interstellar composition into next-generation stars characterises the compositional (chemical) evolution of cosmic gas in and between galaxies. Radioactive species have unique messages about how this occurs. Since the first Edition of this book published in 2011 with the title Astronomy with Radioactivities, long-awaited new direct observations of supernova radioactivity have been made and are now addressed in two updated chapters dealing with supernovae. In this second Edition, the advances of recent years beyond one-dimensional treatments of stellar structure and stellar explosions towards 3-dimensional models have been included, and led to significant re-writings in Chapters 3-5. The sections on the Solar System origins have been re-written to account for new insights into the evolution of giant molecular clouds. The chapter on diffuse radioactivities now also includes material measurements of radioactivities in the current solar system, and their interpretations for recent nucleosynthesis activity in our Galaxy. Significant new results on gamma-rays from positron annihilations have been accounted for in that chapter, and led to new links with nucleosynthesis sources as well as interstellar transport processes. A new chapter now provides a description of interstellar processes often called 'chemical evolution', thus linking the creation of new nuclei to their abundance observations in gas and stars. The experimental / instrumental chapters on nuclear reaction measurements, on gamma-ray telescopes, and pre-solar grain laboratories have been updated. Moreover, new windows of astronomy that have been opened up in recent years have been included in the discussions of the multi-messenger approach that broadens the basis for astrophysical insights.

Starting from the basics of semiconductor lasers with emphasis on the generation of high optical output power the reader is introduced in a tutorial way to all key technologies required to fabricate high-power diode-laser sources. Various applications are exemplified.