Assignment
Novel Laser Systems

Introduction

This is an independent research assignment in which the student is to examine a novel laser system - one which is NOT commonly in commercial usage nor commercial manufacture. The purpose is to have the student do _real_ research and be exposed to _real_ scientific journals. When working with lasers, it is often necessary to look back at what others have done before embarking on a project.

The Assignment

Choose a type of laser and research it thoroughly using scientific journals. Acceptable journal sources include the Journal of Applied Physics, Applied Physics Letters, Optics Letters, Applied Optics, Journal of Quantum Electronics, Review Of Scientific Instruments, etc. Avoid citing 'general' sources like Scientific American although these can be VERY useful as a starting point - articles in that type of publication always have citations in the back!

Many of these lasers were discovered in the 1960's and 1970's during the heyday of laser research. INDEX volumes for these journals are an excellent place to look for references. Locally, Brock University library stocks a good number of these journals in paper form. Get a photocopy card at the main desk at the library, head for floors 5 or 6, and you're set!

You must obtain at least TWO references outlining this particular laser.

The following lasers are COMMON and hence CANNOT be chosen for this assignment:
Nd:YAG, Ruby, HeNe, Ar⁺, Ar⁺⁺, Kr⁺, Visible and Near-IR semiconductor, N₂, Copper/CuCl vapour, Excimer, HeCd, Ti:Sapphire, (and a few others)

The following lasers are considered NOVEL and hence are good choices:
Pulsed Neon (540.1), Xe, Ar, Kr (all three neutral atom only), Cs vapour, Cd, Zn, Sn, Pb, Mn, Ca, Indium, Hydrogen, Ni, Au, HeSe, Ne⁺, Ne⁺⁺, O⁺, Xe⁺, Xe⁺⁺, Xe⁺⁺⁺, Hg⁺, N (atomic), N⁺, N⁺⁺, NO, HgBr₂ excimer, rare-earth chelate dye, Scotch whiskey.
If you come up with one not listed, let me know first ... almost anything will lase if you hit it hard enough. I have a reference 'bible' (Weber) in my office listing essentially every known laser - just ask.

The report must read like a chapter from The Laser Guidebook by Hecht (ISBN 0-8306-4274-9) using similar subheadings. It should outline the medium, species involved (e.g. neutral, atomic, molecular, ionic), mode (pulsed or CW), quantum processes involved and energy levels, gain, lifetimes of the species (as this affects whether it will lase in CW or not), excitation method (e.g. DC, RF, Optical pump), power output and wavelengths reported, tube configuration, resonator optics, and any other pertinant details. If the cavity or tube is novel, a drawing or diagram is required. Be sure to include a reference citing sources used (see note above regarding 'acceptable' sources - at least two must be produced). INCLUDE A PHOTOCOPY of all articles used as an appendix to the report.

Possible headings include:

• Internal Workings
• Basic Physics
• Active Medium
• Energy Transfer
• Internal Structure
• Optics
• Cavity Configuration
• Output Characteristics
• Wavelength and Output Power
• Efficiency
• Temporal and Spatial Characteristics
• Spectral Bandwidth and Frequency Stability
• Amplitude Noise
• Beam Quality, Polarization, Noise
• Coherence Length
• Beam Diameter and Divergence
• Operating Reuqirements
• Input Power
• Cooling
• Operating Conditions and Temperatures
• Safety
• Applications

BEFORE PROCEEDING you must sign-up on my door. Only one type of laser per student (don't worry, there are plenty to choose from!). You may want to do preliminary research to determine availablity of references for a particular type of laser before signing-up.