Laser Resonators and Beam Propagation: Fundamentals, Advanced Concepts, Applications

This book delivers a uniquely comprehensive and detailed discussion of the properties of optical resonators and the propagation of laser beams, covering basic theory and practical implementations including recent research. It presents the fundamental theories of resonators, such as geometrical optics, diffraction, and polarization, as well as the characteristics of important resonator schemes and their modelling. The book uses classical optics as a framework for discussing the characteristic parameters of light, such as coherence, polarization, beam size and divergence, and understanding the most fundamental laws of light propagation, including the generation and tailoring of laser beams using optical resonators in continuous-wave, Q-switched and modelocked laser operation. Intra-cavity and extra-cavity harmonic generation are discussed as well.

The long-anticipated third edition features considerable expansions and updates, with a new section on ultrafast pulse generation and propagation and mode-locked laser resonators. These, combined with the carefully structured text and autonomous nature of the chapters, make the book ideal for newcomers and invaluable to specialists in both academic and industry research.

Norman Hodgson is Chief Technology Officer for the Laser Segment of Coherent, Corp. in Santa Clara, CA. He has more than 35 years experience in optics and laser technology with a focus on solid state laser and fiber laser design, optimization and product development. Previously held positions include Vice President of Technology and Advanced Research at Coherent, Inc. (2010-2022), Vice President of Engineering at Coherent (2003-2009), Director of Engineering at Spectra-Physics, Inc. in Mountain View, CA (1998-2003), Senior Laser Engineer and Program Manager at Carl Zeiss, Inc. in Princeton, NJ and San Leandro, CA (1992-1996) and various university positions. Dr. Hodgson received his Diploma in Physics from the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, Germany, in 1986, and a PhD in Physics from Technical University Berlin in 1990. Dr. Hodgson has authored over 90 publications and conference presentations is co-inventor on more than 50 issued and pending patents, and was the recipient of the German WLT Award in 1994.
Horst Weber studied at the Technical University Berlin at the Department of Physics, and received 1961 his Diploma degree in the field of electron-optics. Then for more than 40 years he worked on solid state lasers, dye-lasers, laser material processing, dielectric coatings and ultra-short pulses. 1970 he became university lecturer and 1972 associate professor at the University of Berne (Switzerland). Topics in this time were diode lasers, ultra-short pulses, satellite ranging and laser plasma interaction. In 1975 he joined the Physics Department of the University Kaiserslautern (Germany) as full professor. Main activities were multi-kW solid state lasers, optical resonators, laser induced plasmas and dielectric coatings. 1987 he returned to the Optical Institute (Technical University Berlin) and became general manager of the Solid State Laser Institute, later the Laser and Medicine Technology Berlin. The applied research was performed in close connection with the German Industry in the field of high power solid state lasers, diode pumped solid state lasers and laser-material processing. A new research group working on the characterization of laser radiation was established, which was strongly involved in the European normalization activities.

He was/is member of the Swiss Association of Optics, the German Scientific Association of Laser Technology (Chairman), the German Physical Society, State Board Lasertechnology Huazhong University (Wuhan PR China), Laser Association Berlin/Brandenburg (Chairman), European Physical Society, Advisory Board of the Laser Congress and Exhibition Munich. He was editor of the series Optical Sciences (Springer), Landolt-Boernstein: Laser and Laser Applications (Springer), Optical and Quantum Electronics Journal.

He retired in 2003 and is now professor emeritus at the Optical Institute Berlin. Until 2015, he gave lectures on laser physics, nonlinear optics, classical optics. His research fields are now the characterization of partially coherent fields, the determination of coherence and the Wigner function in optics.