PH4034
Laser Physics 1
2016-2017
15
7
SCQF level 10
1
Academic year(s): 2016-2017
SCOTCAT credits : 15
ECTS credits : 7
Level : SCQF level 10
Semester: 1
Planned timetable:
This module presents a basic description of the main physical concepts upon which an understanding of laser materials, operations and applications can be based. The syllabus includes: basic concepts of energy-level manifolds in gain media, particularly in respect of population inversion and saturation effects; conditions for oscillator stability in laser resonator configurations and transverse and longitudinal cavity mode descriptions; single longitudinal mode operation for spectral purity and phase locking of longitudinal modes for the generation of periodic sequences of intense ultrashort pulses (i.e. laser modelocking); illustrations of line-narrowed and modelocked lasers and the origin and exploitability of intensity-induced nonlinear optical effects.
Weekly contact:
Scheduled learning hours: 32
Guided independent study hours: 118
As used by St Andrews:
As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 90%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 10%