General Information
Introduction to the operation, physics, and application of lasers. Examples of coherent radiation to nonlinear optics, communication, and leading-edge research are frequently used. Course concludes with a lab where students design and then build a laser.
Prerequisites
ECE 3030 (No longer a pre-req)
Topics Covered
- Diffraction-limited Optics
- Gaussian Beams
- Cavity Design
- Optical Resonators
- Interaction of Radiation with Matter
- Stimulated Emission
- Rate Equations
- Laser Design
Workload
- FA14: 6 Homework assignments, 1 laser design lab
- Fa15: Very manageable workload, Pollock thoroughly explains topics and discusses most topics more than once as a review. Pollock is very flexible in terms of deadlines and prelim dates, awesome guy
Advice
There was no textbook offered in FA14, just scanned readings from various textbooks. The concepts can be difficult to understand sometimes, but make sure to go to office hours. Pollock is always willing to help. Laser design at the end of the semester is fun and rewarding, and will make you understand everything a little bit better. Write down every equation you possibly can on the exams.
Pollock is the man, pay attention in lecture as he uses simplified equations and not those used in the book. He focuses on developing intuition and not a rigorous math approach
Past Offerings
| Semester | Time | Professor | Median Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2014 |
MWF 10:10-11:00 |
Clifford Pollock | ? |