Crystal-Field Engineering of Solid-State Laser Materials

by Brian Henderson, Ralph H. Bartram

Overview

This book examines the underlying science and design of laser materials. It emphasizes the principles of crystal-field engineering and discusses the basic physical concepts that determine laser gain and nonlinear frequency conversion in optical crystals. Henderson and Bartram develop the predictive capabilities of crystal-field engineering to show how modification of the symmetry and composition of optical centers can improve laser performance. They also discuss applications of the principles of crystal-field engineering to a variety of optical crystals in relation to the performances of laser devices. This book will be of considerable interest to physical, chemical and material scientists and to engineers involved in the science and technology of solid state lasers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521018012
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	08/22/2005
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics , #25
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 9.96(h) x 1.06(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. An introduction to lasers; 2. Symmetry considerations; 3. Optical crystals: their structures, colours and growth; 4. Energy levels of ions in crystals; 5. Spectra of ions in crystals; 6. Radiationless transitions; 7. Energy transfer and excited state absorption; 8. Covalency; 9. Engineering the crystal field; 10. The crystal field engineered.

Editorial Reviews

'This book is quite clearly a graduate-level textbook for materials scientists and condensed matter physicists, but the wide-ranging review of laser materials will also make it an attractive reference book for specialists in the solid-state spectroscopy and laser fields.' John F. Ryan, The Times Higher Education Supplement

From the Publisher