Includes Proceedings Vol. 7821

Optical Resonators provides a detailed discussion of the properties of optical resonators for lasers from basic theory to recent research. In addition to describing the fundamental theories of resonators such as geometrical optics, diffraction, and polarisation the characteristics of all important resonator schemes and their calculation are presented. Experimental examples, practical problems and a collection of measurement techniques support the comprehensive treatment of the subject. Optical Resonators is the only book currently available that provides a comprehensive overview of the the subject. Combined with the structure of the text and the autonomous nature of the chapters this work will be as suitable for those new to the field as it will be invaluable to specialists conducting research. This second edition has been enlarged by new sections on Q-switching and resonators with internal phase/amplitude control. In addition, the whole book has been brought up-to-date.

The resonator can be considered the real heart of any laser system, the key element that determines the properties of laser radiation, including mode structure or temporal and spatial characteristics. The theory of different laser types has been well-developed in the last few decades of the 20th century, starting with the pioneering papers of Fox, Li, Body and Gordon. But today, due to the development of new types of lasers (fibre, diode), new optical elements (adaptive mirrors, phase conjugation techniques, graded phase correctors), the development of optical technology, and new needs for industrial lasers, novel types of resonators are under investigation.