The laser power handling capacities of optical systems are determined by the physical properties of their component materials. At low intensity levels these factors are not important, but an understanding of damage mechanisms is fundamental to good design of laser products operating at high power. Laser Induced Damage of Optical Materials presents

Dedicated to users and developers of high-powered systems, Laser-Induced Damage in Optical Materials focuses on the research field of laser-induced damage and explores the significant and steady growth of applications for high-power lasers in the academic, industrial, and military arenas. Written by renowned experts in the field, this book concentr

This book focuses mainly on the spectroscopy of laser materials, physics of laser materials, laser crystals and laser glasses. The spectroscopic and laser properties of rare earth and transition metal ion-doped solid state materials are systematically described based on modern quantum optics. The aim of this book is to relate the laser and spectroscopic properties to the structure and chemical composition of materials. It emphasises the nonlinear optical effects in laser materials, which are widely used in high power laser systems. The development of advanced solid state laser devices depends greatly on new laser materials. Much progress has been made recently in the development of new laser materials, and this is summarized in the book.

Research and applications in optical engineering require careful selection of materials. With such a large and varied array to choose from, it is important to understand a material's physical and optical properties before making a selection. Providing a convenient, concise, and logically organized collection of information, Physical Properties and Data of Optical Materials builds a thorough background for more than 100 optical materials and offers quick access to precise information. Surveying the most important and widely used optical materials, this handy reference includes data on a wide variety of metals, semiconductors, dielectrics, polymers, and other commonly used optical materials. For each material, the editors examine the crystal system; natural and artificial growth and production methods along with corrosives and processing; thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties; optical properties, such as transmittance and reflectance spectra, ranging from UV to IR wavelengths; and, where applicable, applications for spectroscopy and miscellaneous remarks such as handling concerns and chemical properties. Numerous tables illustrate important data such as numerical values of optical constants for important wavelength regions, extinction and absorption coefficients, and refractive index. Physical Properties and Data of Optical Materials offers a collection of data on an unprecedented variety of fundamental optical materials, making it the one quick-lookup guide that every optical scientist, engineer, and student should own.

Emphasizes a morphological and phenomenological approach to the study of laser-induced damage. Presents a pictorial record of many of the different phenomena observed, as well as a discussion of scaling laws, cumulative damage and measurement techniques. Helpful appendices provide typical damage thresholds for numerous optical materials over a wide range of wavelengths. Useful for optical and laser physicists, optical system designers and engineers, laser and optical coating manufacturers and students taking courses in optoelectronics, lasers and electro-optics.

This new edition features numerous updates and additions. Especially 4 new chapters on Fiber Optics, Integrated Optics, Frequency Combs and Interferometry reflect the changes since the first edition. In addition, major complete updates for the chapters: Optical Materials and Their Properties, Optical Detectors, Nanooptics, and Optics far Beyond the Diffraction Limit. Features Contains over 1000 two-color illustrations. Includes over 120 comprehensive tables with properties of optical materials and light sources. Emphasizes physical concepts over extensive mathematical derivations. Chapters with summaries, detailed index Delivers a wealth of up-to-date references.