Presenting a blend of applied and fundamental research in highly interdisciplinary subjects of rapidly developing areas, this book contains contributions on the frontiers and hot topics of laser physics, laser technology and laser engineering, and covers a wide range of laser topics, from all-optical signal processing and chaotic optical communication to production of superwicking surfaces, correction of extremely high-power beams, and generation of ultrabroadband spectra. It presents both review-type contributions and well researched and documented case studies, and is intended for graduate students, young scientist, and emeritus scientist working/studying in laser physics, optoelectronics, optics, photonics, and adjacent areas. The book contains both experimental and theoretical studies, as well as combinations of these two, which is known to be a most useful and interesting form of reporting scientific results, allowing students to really learn from each contribution. The book contains over 130 illustrations.

High power lasers and their applications in production technology have experienced a vivid development during the last decades and now offer improved performance of classical applications in cutting or welding. Processes that are used since a long time have been improved considerably, for instance hardening. More and more new applications have been developed for instance 3D-printing of metals or forming with laser assistance. Therefore, it is important for production engineers to understand the laser technology and explore how it can be used to enhance production speed, quality, and reduce cost.This book treats the basic principles underlying laser technology, long-time-used equipment and processes but also the most recent improvements and applications, then compares it with the competing conventional technologies. Each of these two parts is preceded by tutorials that inform the reader about the physical basis of the respective technologies. In addition, hazards of these technologies and respective protection are treated for both cases. The book concludes with a detailed comparison of competing technologies and lasers to give a prognosis on the future of lasers in manufacturing. It is written in a style that can be read by people without a broad physical basis and avoids the use of derivations and equations but explains all the material in an easily understandable way in simple words.

Advanced Laser Diode Reliability focuses on causes and effects of degradations of state-of-the-art semiconductor laser diodes. It aims to provide a tool for linking practical measurements to physical diagnostics. To this purpose, it reviews the current technologies, addressing their peculiar details that can promote specific failure mechanisms. Two sections will support this kernel: a) Failure Analysis techniques, procedures and examples; b) Device-oriented laser modelling and parameter extraction. - Talk about Natural continuity with the most widespread existing textbooks, published by Mitsuo Fukuda - Present the extension to new failure mechanisms, new technologies, new application fields, new environments - Introduce a specific self-consistent model for the physical description of a laser diode, expressed in terms of practically measurable quantities