This textbook is based on a course given by the first-named author to third and fourth year undergraduate students from physics, engineering physics and electrical engineering. The purpose is to introduce and explain some of the fundamental principles underlying laser beam control in optoelectronics, especially those in relation to optical anisotropy which is at the heart of many optical devices. The book attempts to give the reader the background knowledge needed to work in a laser, optoelectronic or photonic environment, and to manage and handle laser beam equipment with ease. In this edition, recent research results on modern technologies and instruments relevant to laser optoelectronics have been added to each chapter. New material include: chirped pulse amplification for petawatt lasers; optical anisotropy; physical explanations for group velocity dispersion, group delay dispersion, and third order dispersion; an introduction of different types of laser systems; and both optical isotropy and anisotropy in different types of harmonic generation. Theories based upon mode-locking and chirped pulse amplifications have become increasingly more important. It is thus necessary that students learn all these in a course devoted to laser optoelectronics. As such, Chapter 12 is now devoted to mode-locking and carrier-envelope phase locking. A new chapter, Chapter 13, which focuses on chirped pulse amplification has also been added.
See Leang Chin is Professor Emeritus of physics in Laval University, Quebec City, Canada. Before his retirement, he occupied the position of senior Canada Research Chair (CRC) in ultrafast intense laser sciences since the inception of the CRC program in 2000 by the federal government. He is a pioneer in intense laser multiphoton/tunnel ionization of atoms and molecules as well as ultrafast intense laser filamentation. In 2001, he received the Humboldt Research Award in Germany, the highest distinction of the Humboldt Research Foundation for a foreign scientist. In 2011, he received the highest award of the Canadian Association of Physicists, namely, the Medal of Lifetime Achievement in Physics. He is fellow of the Optical Society of America (OSA now Optica). He has published more than 400 research papers.
Huailiang Xu received his PhD degree in Physics from Lund University, Sweden in 2004. He then worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Physics, Laval University, Canada. In January 2008, he became an Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry, University of Tokyo, Japan. Since September 2009, He has been a full professor at Jilin University, China. His research interests include Laser spectroscopy and Strong Laser-matter interaction. He received the National Distinguished Young Scholar award from National Nature Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in 2016, and has published more than 180 papers in journals and 5 book chapters.
Shuai Yuan is an associate professor of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology of China. He received his PhD degree in Physics from Laval University, Quebec City, Canada in 2014. He is a Hope Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). He has published more than 30 papers in journals, 15 patents, and 1 book chapter. His publications have been cited over 400 times. His research interests include femtosecond laser science, filamentation, fiber optics, and remote sensing and monitoring.
