Bridging the gap between laser physics and applied mathematics, this book offers a new perspective on laser dynamics. Combining fresh treatments of classic problems with up-to-date research, asymptotic techniques appropriate for nonlinear dynamical systems are shown to offer a powerful alternative to numerical simulations. The combined analytical and experimental description of dynamical instabilities provides a clear derivation of physical formulae and an evaluation of their significance. Starting with the observation of different time scales of an operating laser, the book develops approximation techniques to systematically explore their effects. Laser dynamical regimes are introduced at different levels of complexity, from standard turn-on experiments to stiff, chaotic, spontaneous or driven pulsations. Particular attention is given to quantitative comparisons between experiments and theory. The book broadens the range of analytical tools available to laser physicists and provides applied mathematicians with problems of practical interest, making it invaluable for graduate students and researchers.

A distinctive discussion of the nonlinear dynamical phenomena of semiconductor lasers. The book combines recent results of quantum dot laser modeling with mathematical details and an analytic understanding of nonlinear phenomena in semiconductor lasers and points out possible applications of lasers in cryptography and chaos control. This interdisciplinary approach makes it a unique and powerful source of knowledge for anyone intending to contribute to this field of research. By presenting both experimental and theoretical results, the distinguished authors consider solitary lasers with nano-structured material, as well as integrated devices with complex feedback sections. In so doing, they address such topics as the bifurcation theory of systems with time delay, analysis of chaotic dynamics, and the modeling of quantum transport. They also address chaos-based cryptography as an example of the technical application of highly nonlinear laser systems.

Monograph on laser dynamics, intended for those involved with laser optics, nonlinear dynamics, atomic physics, solid state physics molecular physics and spectroscopy. Subjects covered include the history of laser dynamics, theoretical models of nonlinear dynamics, and practical usage.

This monograph summarizes major achievements in laser dynamics over the past three decades. The book begins with two introductory Chapters. Chapter 1 offers general considerations on quantum oscillators, formulates the requirements for the laser key elements and shows how these requirements are met in different laser systems. The second Chapter proposes the mathematical models used in semiclassical laser theory, discusses the approximations and simplifications in particular cases, and specifies the range of applicability of these models. In Chapters 3-5 attention is given primarily to the steady states and their stability, the laser behavior in the instability domain, the characteristics of regular and chaotic pulsations and the nature of their mechanisms. Chapter 6 deals with the processes in a laser, accompanying the time variance of laser parameters. Considerable attention is given to a laser response to weak, low-frequency modulation of the parameters. The problems addressed therein are resonant modulation enhancement, transition to the nonlinear regime, chaotic response to periodic impact, spike-like generation due to variation of the cavity geometry and a laser rod temperature drift. Laser behavior is subject to qualitative changes if its optical elements exhibit nonlinear properties. The action of a saturable absorber, which leads to a loss of laser stability and provides passive Q-modulation, is investigated. To a much lesser degree the researchers' attention has been attracted by other nonlinear effects such as self-focusing, e.g., which may have a strong influence on laser dynamics. All of these issues are covered in Chapter 7. The book is intended for researchers, engineers, graduate and post-graduate students majoring in quantum electronics.

By recirculating light in a nonlinear propagation medium, the nonlinear optical cavity allows for countless options of light transformation and manipulation. In passive media, optical bistability and frequency conversion are central figures. In active media, laser light can be generated with versatile underlying dynamics. Emphasizing on ultrafast dynamics, the vital arena for the information technology, the soliton is a common conceptual keyword, thriving into its modern developments with the closely related denominations of dissipative solitons and cavity solitons. Recent technological breakthroughs in optical cavities, from micro-resonators to ultra-long fiber cavities, have entitled the exploration of nonlinear optical dynamics over unprecedented spatial and temporal orders of magnitude. By gathering key contributions by renowned experts, this book aims at bridging the gap between recent research topics with a view to foster cross-fertilization between research areas and stimulating creative optical engineering design.

Starting with an introduction to the fundamental physics in chaotic instabilities in laser systems, this comprehensive and unified reference goes on to present the techniques and technology of synchronization of chaos in coupled lasers, as well as the many applications to lasers and optics, communications, security and information technology. Throughout, it presents the current state of knowledge, including encoding/decoding techniques, performance of chaotic communication systems, random number generation, and novel communication technologies.

The series of books discusses the physics of laser and matter interaction, fluid dynamics of high-temperature and high-density compressible plasma, and kinetic phenomena and particle dynamics in laser-produced plasma. The book (Vol.1) gives the physics of intense-laser absorption in matter and/or plasma in non-relativistic and relativistic laser-intensity regime. In many cases, it is explained with clear images of physics so that an intuitive understanding of individual physics is possible for non-specialists. For intense-laser of 1013-16 W/cm2, the laser energy is mainly absorbed via collisional process, where the oscillation energy is converted to thermal energy by non-adiabatic Coulomb collision with the ions. Collisionless interactions with the collective modes in plasma are also described. The main topics are the interaction of ultra-intense laser and plasma for the intensity near and over 1018W/cm2. In such regime, relativistic dynamics become essential. A new physics appears due to the relativistic effects, such as mass correction, relativistic nonlinear force, chaos physics of particle motions, and so on. The book provides clearly the theoretical base for challenging the laser-plasma interaction physics in the wide range of power lasers. It is suitable as a textbook for upper-undergraduate and graduate students as well as for readers who want to understand the whole physics structure about what happen when an intense-laser irradiates any materials including solids, gas etc. Explaining the physics intuitively without complicated mathematics, it is also a valuable resource for engineering students and researchers as well as for self-study.

The book explores the current state of laser dynamics and provides reference data and basic experimental facts for old- and new-generation lasers. The most frequently used mathematical models are presented. The author discusses the reasons for the spontaneous occurrence of pulsation of the intensity of radiation of solid-state lasers and the influence of the non-stationary nature of laser elements on lasing characteristics. Special emphasis is placed on the problems of the low-frequency dynamics of multimode lasers. This book is aimed at experts in the fields of quantum electronics and laser physics.

Although the basic principles of lasers have remained unchanged in the past 20 years, there has been a shift in the kinds of lasers generating interest. Providing a comprehensive introduction to the operating principles and applications of lasers, this second edition of the classic book on the subject reveals the latest developments and applications of lasers. Placing more emphasis on applications of lasers and on optical physics, the book's self-contained discussions will appeal to physicists, chemists, optical scientists, engineers, and advanced undergraduate students.

This thesis investigates the dynamics of passively mode-locked semiconductor lasers, with a focus on the influence of optical feedback on the noise characteristics. The results presented here are important for improving the performance of passively mode-locked semiconductor lasers and, at the same time, are relevant for understanding delay-systems in general. The semi-analytic results developed are applicable to a broad range of oscillatory systems with time-delayed feedback, making the thesis of relevance to various scientific communities. Passively mode-locked lasers can produce pulse trains and have applications in the contexts of optical clocking, microscopy and optical data communication, among others. Using a system of delay differential equations to model these devices, a combination of numerical and semi-analytic methods is developed and used to characterize this system.