Course Info | Class Notes | Evaluation / Check Marks | Labs | Class Schedule & Homework |
A continuation of BATP9301, this course examines advanced laser concepts and laser processes, and examines the mathematical modelling of the laser. Features of several key commercial and research lasers will be examined including ion, CO2, excimer, YAG, ruby, and dye types. As well as an examination of specific laser systems, advanced laser concepts such as the dynamics of gas discharges (E/P ratio) and ramifications to laser design (e.g. tube pressure, cathode design, and electrode spacing), wavelength selection (for multi-line lasers), single frequency operation using intra-cavity etalons, pulse generation techniques (including Q-switching and modelocking), the operation of both acousto-optic and electro-optic modulators and switches, and non-linear optics (harmonic generation and OPO) will be studied in detail. An intensive laboratory component allows students to explore course material in a practical, hands-on manner and gain experience working with high-powered lasers (e.g. resonator alignment). Experiment design will also be examined including the use of laboratory equipment such as lock-in amplifiers and high-speed optical pulse analysis.
A tunable titanium-sapphire laser in the advanced laser lab.
Prerequisites
This course is offered as part of the Bachelor of Applied Technology Program in Photonics
Fundamentals of Light Sources and Lasers by Csele, 2004, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 0-471-47660-9
Chapters 6 through 15 are covered in this course.
Assignment: Novel Laser Systems
An independent research project in which the student is to research a non-standard laser. Many of these lasers, when discovered, held promise of commercial viability however in many cases cheaper alternatives became available before they made it to production.
Due: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 in class (1:30 p.m.)
Safety Refresher and Lab Introduction
A lab introduction in which students will view a safety video and be provided with a demonstration of specific hazards and procedures in Niagara College's high-power laser lab (V15). Specific topics reviewed include laser classes, exposure limits, nominal hazard zones, calculating OD and selecting safety glasses, high voltage safety, chemical and fire safety. At the conclusion of the session students must write a quiz. This session is MANDATORY and students must attend the session and write the quiz in order to be provided access to the lab.
Lab Session on 2009/01/13
Lab 1: Photoacoustic Spectroscopy
A research application employing a tunable laser. An argon-ion laser is used to pump a tunable dye laser. Gas samples in a cell are inserted directly into the cavity of the laser and acoustic vibrations created within the cell are monitored using a lock-in amplifier to produce an absorption spectrum.
Condensed Lab Report with Assignment questions required
Lab: On 2009/01/20
Due: in one week (at the beginning of the lab period on 2009/01/27)
Lab #2: Ion lasers
A look at the optical characteristics and operating modes of an ion laser. Using the Coherent Innova-90 argon laser in V15 students will examine the various lines of an argon laser and relative output powers of each. Using wavelength-selective optics the threshold currents of argon laser lines will be examined. As well, the use of current and light regulation modes will be examined.
Lab: On 2009/01/27
Due: in one week (at the beginning of the lab period on 2009/02/03)
Lab #3: Cavity Alignment
A skills-based lab in which the alignment of the optics of two types of lasers will be completed. First, the optics on a large-bore MPB IN-100 carbon-dioxide laser will be aligned using a coaxial HeNe laser beam. Burn patterns will then be used to analyze beam structure under optimized and non-optimal conditions. Next, the optics (HR, OC, and Fold Mirrors) on a Coherent argon-ion laser-pumped dye laser will be removed and aligned by using the fluorescence of the dye itself to provide alignment 'spots'. A lab report will outline details of the procedure.
Lab: Group A Part A on 2009/02/03, Part B on 2009/02/10, Group B Part A on 2009/02/10, Part B on of 2009/02/03
Due: in one week (at the beginning of lab period - BOTH GROUPS on 2009/02/17)
Lab #4: Pulsed Gas Lasers
Students will mix various gas fills for a Lumonics Excimer 500 and a Lumonics TEA-203 CO2 laser in V15 and will study the effect on power output. In the excimer laser, a Helium-Nitrogen mixture will be employed with various concentrations of nitrogen (the active lasing species) and the effect of nitrogen concentration on output power noted. In the TEA laser pressure and voltage will be varied. Results will be correlated with the calculated E/P ratio of the gases employed.
Additional PreLab Question (submit with the lab report):
Compute the expected E/P ratio for nitrogen. Use a similar argument to that used by Calvert for neon gas in the prelab reading (you must use the ionization energy for nitrogen, see section 5: arc discharge of the reading or use NIST tables).
Lab: Group A Part A on 2009/02/17, Part B on 2009/02/24, Group B Part A on 2009/02/24, Part B on of 2009/02/17
Due: in one week (at the beginning of class - BOTH GROUPS on 2009/03/10 at 1:30 p.m. sharp)
No Lab on 2009/03/03 - March Break
Lab #5: Time Domain Modelling of a Solid-State Laser System
By monitoring the flashlamp intensity of a solid-state YAG laser, a model is developed to predict the inversion, and hence the gain, as it develops in time taking into account both pumped population as well as spontaneous decay. Results of the model are compared to actual experimental results. In this manner, the optimal time to open the Q-switch may be predicted.
Lab: Both Groups on 2009/03/17
Due: in one week (at the beginning of lab period - BOTH GROUPS on 2009/03/24)
Lab #6: Q-Switched Lasers
A Diode-Pumped Lee YAG Laser employing an AO Q-switch will be examined with the effect of pulse rate on output determined. In order to demonstrate how an AOM works and ways in which it may be used an external AOM will be aligned for Bragg diffraction, with the effective intra-cavity loss determined, and an AOM modified for use as a PCAOM will be used to separate the multiple wavelength (RGB) output of a 'white light' HeCd laser.
Lab: Group A Part A on 2009/03/24, Part B on 2009/03/31, Group B Part A on 2009/03/31, Part B on of 2009/03/24
Due: in one week (at the beginning of lab period - BOTH GROUPS on 2009/04/07)
Lab #7: DPSS Lasers
Using an argon-laser pumped titanium-sapphire (Ti:Saph) laser, a vanadate laser will be pumped and the effect of pumping at various wavelengths examined. This unique "Laser-pumped-laser-pumped-laser" arrangement allows a regular DPSS laser to be pumped by a tunable IR source allowing investigation of the sensitivity of vanadate to pumping wavelength.
Lab: Both Groups on 2009/04/07
Due: in one week (at the beginning of lab period - BOTH GROUPS on 2009/04/14)
For this specific course ...
Professor Mark Csele
Telephone (905) 735-2211 x.7629
E-Mail: (Be sure to include 'Photonics' in the subject line to avoid deletion by an anti-spam filter)
URL:
http://technology.niagarac.on.ca/people/mcsele