ISBN: 354069809
TITLE: Solid-State Lasers for Materials Processing
AUTHOR: Ifflnder
TOC:

List of Symbols XIII
Introduction XVII
Part I Theoretical Background
1 Fundamentals of Solid-State Lasers 3
1.1 Energy-Level Diagram and Rate Equations 3
1.2 Amplifiers 6
1.3 Oscillator in the Stationary Case 9
1.4 Threshold and Losses 17
1.5 Influence of the Temperature 18
1.6 Oscillator in Pulsed Operation 20
1.7 Q-switch Operation 27
1.8 The 3-Level System 33
1.9 Efficiency and Optimization 38
2 Gaussian Optics 45
2.1 Gaussian Beam 45
2.2 Higher Order Modes 48
2.3 ABCD Law 54
2.4 Sign Conventions 58
2.5 Matrices of Optical Elements 60
2.6 Application of the ABCD Law 63
3 Resonators 69
3.1 Stable Resonators 70
3.2 Empty Resonators 74
3.3 Conventional Stable Resonators 77
3.4 Special Resonators with Two External Mirrors 83
3.5 Multicavity Resonators 88
3.6 Alignment Sensitivity of Stable Resonators 91
3.7 Unstable Resonators 95
4 Thermal Effects 99
4.1 Heat Efficiency 99
4.2 Temperature Profile 101
4.3 Transient Thermal Effects 104
4.4 Thermal Load 106
4.5 Influence on the Level Population 109
4.6 Thermal Lensing 110
4.7 Lens Effects in the Resonator 113
4.8 Experimental Determination of the Refracting Power 117
4.9 Thermally Invariant Resonators 119
Part II Technical Realization
5 Beam Source 125
5.1 Pumping Cavity for Rods 126
5.2 Pumping Cavity for Slabs 133
5.3 Cooling 138
5.4 Cooling Unit 145
6 Gas Discharge Lamps 149
6.1 Ionization for Flash and Arc Lamps 150
6.2 Expansion of the Plasma Arc (Booster Circuit) 155
6.3 Voltage Current Characteristic 157
6.4 On- and Off-Switching Characteristics 161
6.5 Transient Progress 166
6.6 Lifetime 167
6.7 Spectral Characteristics 171
6.8 Radiation Characteristic 174
6.9 Recommendations for Operation 176
7 Excitation by Diodes 177
7.1 Concepts 177
7.2 Layout of the Laser Diodes 183
7.3 Semiconductor Materials 187
7.4 Technical Data of the Laser Diodes 190
7.5 Excitation of a Solid-State Laser 195
8 Electrical Circuits 199
8.1 Ignition Circuits 199
8.2 Power Supplies 201
8.3 Energy Storage 202
8.4 Power Modulation 207
9 Optics 209
9.1 Focusing Optics 209
9.2 Lens Aberrations 213
9.3 Scanning Systems 214
9.4 Beam Splitter 219
9.5 Beam Guiding by Fibers 220
9.6 Transformation of Constant Resonator Parameters 227
9.7 Laser-Induced Damage 231
10 Material Processing 233
10.1 Beam Parameters 235
10.2 Material Parameters 236
10.3 Application Parameters 238
10.4 Relations Between the Parameters 239
10.5 Measurement Procedures 251
Part III Data and Specifications
11 Laser Materials 257
11.1 Parameter Specification 257
11.2 Active Ions 269
12 Laser Crystals 289
13 Laser Glasses 311
14 Material Data 319
14.1 Optical Transparent Media 319
14.2 Materials for Manufacturing 322
15 Tables and Constants 325
15.1 Conversion Tables 325
15.2 Special Conversions 326
15.3 Physical Constants 328
15.4 Mathematical Constants 328
References 329
Index 347
END
