<P>THIS TEXTBOOK PROVIDES AN INTRODUCTORY PRESENTATION OF ALL TYPES OF LASERS. IT CONTAINS A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE LASER, A THEORETICAL TREATMENT AND A CHARACTERIZATION OF ITS OPERATION AS IT DEALS WITH GAS, SOLID STATE, FREE-ELECTRON AND SEMICONDUCTOR LASERS. THIS EXPANDED AND UPDATED SECOND EDITION OF THE BOOK PRESENTS A DESCRIPTION OF THE DYNAMICS OF FREE-ELECTRON LASER OSCILLATION USING A MODEL INTRODUCED IN THE FIRST EDITION THAT ALLOWS A READER TO UNDERSTAND BASIC PROPERTIES OF A FREE-ELECTRON LASER AND MAKES THE DIFFERENCE TO “CONVENTIONAL” LASERS. THE DISCUSSIONS AND THE TREATMENT OF EQUATIONS ARE PRESENTED IN A WAY THAT A READER CAN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOW. THE BOOK ADDRESSES GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, FEATURING&NBSP;PROBLEMS WITH SOLUTIONS AND OVER 400 ILLUSTRATIONS.</P><P><BR></P>
This textbook provides an introductory presentation of all types of lasers. It contains a general description of the laser, a theoretical treatment and a characterization of its operation as it deals with gas, solid state, free-electron and semiconductor lasers. This expanded and updated second edition of the book presents a description of the dynamics of free-electron laser oscillation using a model introduced in the first edition that allows a reader to understand basic properties of a free-electron laser and makes the difference to “conventional” lasers. The discussions and the treatment of equations are presented in a way that a reader can immediately follow. The book addresses graduate and undergraduate students in science and engineering, featuring problems with solutions and over 400 illustrations.