UCL - Lasers and applications

[PHY2245]

[45h + 15h] 6 credits

This course is taught in the 2d semester.

Teacher(s): Philippe Antoine

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

The purpose of this course is to describe the principles of short pulse lasers, including some technical aspects. It is assumed that the student has acquired the laser basics, by following the course PHY2140 "Optique et lasers" or any equivalent course. A survey of the different laser types and linked methods (frequency stabilization, beam and temporal characterization) is presented.
A second part of the course is an introduction to non linear optics and crystal optics.
Finally the course is illustrated with few applications of optical methods. The choice is made in agreement with the students.
Opportunity is given to put the theoretical concepts into practice.

Main themes

- Introduction to crystal optics (ellipsoïd index, electrooptic tensor, ).
- Introduction to non linear optics (non linear susceptibility, parametric oscillations, self-phase modulation, ).
- Description of laser types:
gas lasers (He-Ne, CO2), atomic, molecular lasers
ion lasers, semiconductor lasers
liquid or dye lasers
solid state lasers, including femtosecond lasers and amplified systems
fiber laser
quantum cascade laser
- Characterization of short laser pulses (linear and non linear autocorrelation, FTSI, SPIDER, FROG)
- Applications: Fourier-transform spectroscopy, white-light interferometry, optical microscopy,

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Students must have followed and passed the following exam: PHY2141 " Optique et lasers "