E-Book Overview
This volume describes the theory and practical implementation of three techniques for the generation of blue-green light: nonlinear frequency conversion of infrared lasers, upconversion lasers, and wide bandgap semiconductor diode lasers. In addition, it looks at the various applications that have driven the development of compact sources of blue-green light, and reflects on the recent application of these lasers in high-density data storage, color displays, reprographics, and biomedical technology.
E-Book Content
COMPACT BLUE-GREEN LASERS This book describes the theory and practical implementation of three techniques for the generation of blue-green light: nonlinear frequency conversion of infrared lasers, upconversion lasers, and wide-bandgap semiconductor diode lasers. The book begins with a discussion of the various applications that have driven the development of compact sources of blue-green light. Part 1 then describes approaches to blue-green light generation that exploit second-order nonlinear optics, including single-pass, intracavity, resonator-enhanced and guided-wave second harmonic generation. Part 2, concerned with upconversion lasers, investigates how the energy of multiple red or infrared photons can be combined to directly pump bluegreen laser transitions. The physical basis of this approach is thoroughly discussed and both bulk-optic and fiber-optic implementations are described. Part 3 describes wide-bandgap blue-green semiconductor diode lasers, implemented in both II–VI and III–V materials. The concluding chapter reflects on the progress in developing these lasers and using them in practical applications such as high-density data storage, color displays, reprographics, and biomedical technology. Compact Blue-Green Lasers provides the first comprehensive, unified treatment of this subject and is suitable for use as an introductory textbook for graduate-leve