2024 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Physics Graduate major in Physics
Laser Physics
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Physics
- Instructor(s)
- Kentaro Somiya
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Thu
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- PHY.C449
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Starting from an understanding of basic interactions of light and maters known as spontaneous emission and induced emission, the instructor explains principle of a laser that consists of inverted population and an optical resonator. The instructor introduces the concept of coherence, which is very useful for characterizing the properties of laser light, and makes clear the difference with ordinary light. The instructor will then explain the characteristics of the laser light including its bandwidth, polarization, and spatial modes. The instructor will also explain the laser interferometer and its application.
Course description and aims
After understanding of an optical resonator combined with the spatial mode, population inversion in matter, amplification process of light in the laser media, students are expected to recognize the difference between laser light and ordinary light by using the idea of coherence. Students will also gain an understanding of the operating principles and features of several kinds of lasers, acquiring knowledge about their applications.
Keywords
spatial mode, spontaneous emission, induced emission, optical resonator, population inversion, coherence, laser interferometer
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The lecture will use power point slides.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | What is laser | Study the line width and coherence of laser light. |
| Class 2 | Stimulated emission | Understand spontaneous and stimulated emissions. |
| Class 3 | Various types of Laser | Understand how the laser works. |
| Class 4 | Properties of light (1) | Understand polarization and so on. |
| Class 5 | Properties of light (2) | Understand spatial modes of laser. |
| Class 6 | Laser interferometer (1) | Study how a laser interferometer works. |
| Class 7 | Laser interferometer (2) | Study how the sensitivity of interferometer is defined. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
Not in particular
Textbook(s)
No textbooks will be used.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Introduction to laser physics, Koich Shimoda, Iwanami.
Fundamental of laser, Kou Kurosawa, Optronics.
Evaluation methods and criteria
A report will be assigned at the end of the term.
Related courses
- PHY.C446 ： Light and Matter I
- PHY.C447 ： Light and Matter II
- PHY.C448 ： Light and Matter III
- PHY.C343 ： Chemical Physics
Prerequisites
Quantum mechanics