A comprehensive, up-to-date review of the physics and applications of a major class of laser, the most important example of which is the copper vapour laser. A collection of 50 papers written by the world's leaders in the field. Papers cover: the early history of pulsed metal vapour lasters; the plasma kinetics and excitation mechanisms of self terminating and recombination metal vapour lasers; beam quality issues for applications; frequency harmonic generation for mid-UV applications; high-precision processing of metals, ceramics, glasses and plastics using metal vapour lasers; applications in medicine, including oncology and dermatology; applications in science such as spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. A practical source of information on the physics, engineering and applications of metal vapour lasers. Audience: scientists, teachers and graduate researchers working in the fields of gas lasers, laser optics, gas discharges, optoelectronics and laser applications in industry, science and medicine.

High brightness metal vapor lasers have become the most bright and powerful in the visible spectral range among all existing laser types, resulting in numerous applications ranging from purely fundamental research to practical application in large-scale commercial problems such as isotope selection. This book presents a full series of fundamental problems on the development of physical fundamentals and mathematical models for practical realization of a high-power laser radiation on self-contained transitions in metal atoms. It is the first fundamental review on physics and the technique of high-brightness metal vapor lasers.

With emphasis on the physical and engineering principles, this book provides a comprehensive and highly accessible treatment of modern lasers and optoelectronics. Divided into four parts, it explains laser fundamentals, types of lasers, laser electronics & optoelectronics, and laser applications, covering each of the topics in their entirety, from basic fundamentals to advanced concepts. Key features include: exploration of technological and application-related aspects of lasers and optoelectronics, detailing both existing and emerging applications in industry, medical diagnostics and therapeutics, scientific studies and Defence. simple explanation of the concepts and essential information on electronics and circuitry related to laser systems illustration of numerous solved and unsolved problems, practical examples, chapter summaries, self-evaluation exercises, and a comprehensive list of references for further reading This volume is a valuable design guide for R&D engineers and scientists engaged in design and development of lasers and optoelectronics systems, and technicians in their operation and maintenance. The tutorial approach serves as a useful reference for under-graduate and graduate students of lasers and optoelectronics, also PhD students in electronics, optoelectronics and physics.

Handbook of Defence Electronics and Optronics Anil K. Maini, Former Director, Laser Science and Technology Centre, India First complete reference on defence electronics and optronics Fundamentals, Technologies and Systems This book provides a complete account of defence electronics and optronics. The content is broadly divided into three categories: topics specific to defence electronics; topics relevant to defence optronics; and topics that have both electronics and optronics counterparts. The book covers each of the topics in their entirety from fundamentals to advanced concepts, military systems in use and related technologies, thereby leading the reader logically from the operational basics of military systems to involved technologies and battlefield deployment and applications. Key features: • Covers fundamentals, operational aspects, involved technologies and application potential of a large cross-section of military systems. Discusses emerging technology trends and development and deployment status of next generation military systems wherever applicable in each category of military systems. • Amply illustrated with approximately 1000 diagrams and photographs and around 30 tables. • Includes salient features, technologies and deployment aspects of hundreds of military systems, including: military radios; ground and surveillance radars; laser range finder and target designators; night visions devices; EW and EO jammers; laser guided munitions; and military communications equipment and satellites. Handbook of Defence Electronics and Optronics is an essential guide for graduate students, R&D scientists, engineers engaged in manufacturing defence equipment and professionals handling the operation and maintenance of these systems in the Armed Forces.

This comprehensive handbook gives a fully updated guide to lasers and laser systems, including the complete range of their technical applications. The first volume outlines the fundamental components of lasers, their properties and working principles. The second volume gives exhaustive coverage of all major categories of lasers, from solid-state and semiconductor diode to fiber, waveguide, gas, chemical, and dye lasers. The third volume covers modern applications in engineering and technology, including all new and updated case studies spanning telecommunications and data storage to medicine, optical measurement, defense and security, nanomaterials processing and characterization.

The invention of the laser was one of the towering achievements of the twentieth century. At the opening of the twenty-first century we are witnessing the burgeoning of the myriad technical innovations to which that invention has led. The Handbook of Laser Technology and Applications is a practical and long-lasting reference source for scientists and engineers who work with lasers. The Handbook provides, a comprehensive guide to the current status of lasers and laser systems; it is accessible to science or engineering graduates needing no more than standard undergraduate knowledge of optics. Whilst being a self-contained reference work, the Handbook provides extensive references to contemporary work, and is a basis for studying the professional journal literature on the subject. It covers applications through detailed case studies, and is therefore well suited to readers who wish to use it to solve specific problems of their own. The first of the three volumes comprises an introduction to the basic scientific principles of lasers, laser beams and non-linear optics. The second volume describes the mechanisms and operating characteristics of specific types of laser including crystalline solid - state lasers, semiconductor diode lasers, fibre lasers, gas lasers, chemical lasers, dye lasers and many others as well as detailing the optical and electronic components which tailor the laser's performance and beam delivery systems. The third volume is devoted to case studies of applications in a wide range of subjects including materials processing, optical measurement techniques, medicine, telecommunications, data storage, spectroscopy, earth sciences and astronomy, and plasma fusion research. This vast compendium of knowledge on laser science and technology is the work of over 130 international experts, many of whom are recognised as the world leaders in their respective fields. Whether the reader is engaged in the science, technology, industrial or medical applications of lasers or is researching the subject as a manager or investor in technical enterprises they cannot fail to be informed and enlightened by the wide range of information the Handbook supplies.

The invention of the laser was one of the towering achievements of the twentieth century. At the opening of the twenty-first century we are witnessing the burgeoning of the myriad technical innovations to which that invention has led. The Handbook of Laser Technology and Applications is a practical and long-lasting reference source for scientists a