This book explains in detail the technical and physical basic principles of solid-state lasers for material processing. The characteristic parameters of laser beams, such as beam quality, power and efficiency, are related to parameters of practical use. Conventional applications of high power lasers, such as laser welding, cutting and scribing, as well as the basics of laser-matter interactions, are also discussed in the book. The types of lasers considered include: high power Nd, Yb:YAG, Nd-glass lamp- or laserdiode-pumped. Data on potential materials for solid-state lasers such as alexandrite, GGG, YVO, YLF and others are presented. Aspectys of laser device design, for example, beam optics and beam guiding by fiber, are discussed. Many tables and graphics make this a useful handbook for scientists, process engineers, laser physicists and advanced students.

Klappentext

From the reviews: "Takes the reader on a journey that covers all the basic science and engineering related to the topic of developing a solid-state laser for common materials processing problems. [...] Entrants to the field will certainly find it a book to keep for future reference." Optics & Photonic News

Inhalt

I Theoretical Background.- 1 Fundamentals of Solid-State Lasers.- 1.1 Energy-Level Diagram and Rate Equations.- 1.2 Amplifiers.- 1.3 Oscillator in the Stationary Case.- 1.4 Threshold and Losses.- 1.5 Influence of the Temperature.- 1.6 Oscillator in Pulsed Operation.- 1.7 Q-switch Operation.- 1.8 The 3-Level System.- 1.9 Efficiency and Optimization.- 2 Gaussian Optics.- 2.1 Gaussian Beam.- 2.2 Higher Order Modes.- 2.3 ABCD Law.- 2.4 Sign Conventions.- 2.5 Matrices of Optical Elements.- 2.6 Application of the ABCD Law.- 3 Resonators.- 3.1 Stable Resonators.- 3.2 Empty Resonators.- 3.3 Conventional Stable Resonators.- 3.4 Special Resonators with Two External Mirrors.- 3.5 Multicavity Resonators.- 3.6 Alignment Sensitivity of Stable Resonators.- 3.7 Unstable Resonators.- 4 Thermal Effects.- 4.1 Heat Efficiency.- 4.2 Temperature Profile.- 4.3 Transient Thermal Effects.- 4.4 Thermal Load.- 4.5 Influence on the Level Population.- 4.6 Thermal Lensing.- 4.7 Lens Effects in the Resonator.- 4.8 Experimental Determination of the Refracting Power.- 4.9 Thermally Invariant Resonators.- II Technical Realization.- 5 Beam Source.- 5.1 Pumping Cavity for Rods.- 5.2 Pumping Cavity for Slabs.- 5.3 Cooling.- 5.4 Cooling Unit.- 6 Gas Discharge Lamps.- 6.1 Ionization for Flash and Arc Lamps.- 6.2 Expansion of the Plasma Arc (Booster Circuit).- 6.3 Voltage Current Characteristic.- 6.4 On- and Off-Switching Characteristics.- 6.5 Transient Progress.- 6.6 Lifetime.- 6.7 Spectral Characteristics.- 6.8 Radiation Characteristic.- 6.9 Recommendations for Operation.- 7 Excitation by Diodes.- 7.1 Concepts.- 7.2 Layout of the Laser Diodes.- 7.3 Semiconductor Materials.- 7.4 Technical Data of the Laser Diodes.- 7.5 Excitation of a Solid-State Laser.- 8 Electrical Circuits.- 8.1 Ignition Circuits.- 8.2 Power Supplies.- 8.3 Energy Storage.- 8.4 Power Modulation.- 9 Optics.- 9.1 Focusing Optics.- 9.2 Lens Aberrations.- 9.3 Scanning Systems.- 9.4 Beam Splitter.- 9.5 Beam Guiding by Fibers.- 9.6 Transformation of Constant Resonator Parameters.- 9.7 Laser-Induced Damage.- 10 Material Processing..- 10.1 Beam Parameters.- 10.2 Material Parameters.- 10.3 Application Parameters.- 10.4 Relations Between the Parameters.- 10.5 Measurement Procedures.- III Data and Specifications.- 11 Laser Materials.- 11.1 Parameter Specification.- 11.2 Active Ions.- 12 Laser Crystals.- 13 Laser Glasses.- 14 Material Data.- 14.1 Optical Transparent Media.- 14.2 Materials for Manufacturing.- 15 Tables and Constants.- 15.1 Conversion Tables.- 15.2 Special Conversions.- 15.3 Physical Constants.- 15.4 Mathematical Constants.- References.