Orazio Svelto – författare

This title presents a 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.

This book is motivated by the very favorable reception given to the previous editions as well as by the considerable range of new developments in the laser ?eld since the publication of the third edition in 1989. These new developmentsinclude, among others, Quantum-Well and Multiple-Quantum Well lasers, diode-pumpedsolid-state lasers, new concepts for both stable and unstable resonators, femtosecond lasers, ultra-high-brightness lasers etc. The basic aim of the book has remained the same, namely to providea broad and uni?ed description of laser behavior at the simplest level which is compatible with a correct physical understanding. The book is thereforeintendedas a text-bookfor a senior-levelor ?rst-year graduatecourse and/or as a reference book. This edition corrects several errors introduced in the previous edition. The most relevant additions or changes to since the third edition can be summarized as follows: 1. A much-more detailed description of Ampli?ed Spontaneous Emission has been given [Chapt. 2] and a novel simpli?ed treatment of this phenomenon both for homogeneousor inhomogeneouslines has been introduced [Appendix C]. 2. A major fraction of a chapter [Chapt.3] is dedicated to the interaction of radiation with semiconductor media, either in a bulk form or in a quantum-con?ned structure (quantum-well, quantum-wire and quantum dot). 3. A moderntheory of stable and unstable resonatorsis introduced,where a more ext- sive use is made of the ABCD matrix formalism and where the most recent topics of dynamically stable resonators as well as unstable resonators, with mirrors having Gaussian or super-Gaussian transverse re?ectivity pro?les, are considered [Chapt. 5].

This volume is a collection of papers presented at the Ninth International Symposium on "Ultrafast Processes in Spectroscopy" (UPS '95) held at the International Centre for Theo­ retical Physics (ICTP), Trieste (Italy), October 30 -November 3, 1995. These meetings have become recognized as the major forum in Europe for discussion of new work in this rapidly moving field. The UPS'95 Conference in Trieste brought together a multidisciplinary group of researchers sharing common interests in the generation of ultrashort optical pulses and their application to studies of ultrafast phenomena in physics, chemistry, material science, electronics, and biology. It was attended by approximately 250 participants from 20 countries and the five-day program comprises more than 200 papers. The progress of both technology and applications in the field of ultrafast processes during these last years is truly remarkable. The advent of all solid state femtosecond lasers and the extension of laser wavelengths by frequency conversion techniques provide a large variety of high-performance light sources for ultrashort pulses. With these sources ultrafast phenomena in physical, chemical and biological systems and in electronic de­ vi(:es are now studied extensively. Ultrafast technology is becoming one of the basic and common tools presently entering a wide variety of scientific fields not only for basic re­ search but also for promoting new applications in various areas. We feel that these pro­ ceedings vividly reflect the present status of the field.