. "Optics"@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Lasers"@en . . "4" . "CHAPTER 1: THE BASICS\r\n\r\nBasic laser physics: Introduction; Absorption; Spontaneous and stimulated emission of light; Amplification; Basic laser setup; Gain, saturation and line broadening\r\nBasic properties of laser light: One direction; One frequency; One phase; Laser light is intense\r\nCHAPTER 2: LASER THEORY\r\n\r\nIntroduction: The need for more than two energy levels; Rate equations for a 4-level laser\r\nContinuous-wave (cw) laser action: Output power in cw regime; Influence of experimental parameters; Transients \r\nPulsed laser action: Introduction; Gain switching; Q-switching; Cavity dumping; Mode-locking; Ultra-short pulses\r\nCHAPTER 3: LASER RESONATORS AND THEIR MODES\r\n\r\nIntroduction\r\nModes in a confocal resonator: Wave fronts; Frequencies; Transverse light distribution\r\nModes in a non-confocal resonator: Stability criteria; Frequencies\r\nModes in a waveguide resonator: Modes in a fiber waveguide resonator; Modes in an on-chip waveguide resonator\r\nModes in a (free-space/waveguide) ring resonator\r\nModes in a real laser: Line broadening; Selection of modes\r\nSaturation and hole-burning effects: Spatial hole burning; Spectral hole burning\r\nCHAPTER 4: LASER BEAMS\r\n\r\nGaussian beams: Basic Formulas; Propagation; Transformation by a lens and focusing; Transmission through a circular aperture\r\nMultimode beams: Introduction; Spot radius W for a multimode beam; Beam Propagation Factor M; A more theoretical approach; Practical use\r\nCHAPTER 5: TYPES OF LASERS\r\n\r\nGeneral introduction\r\nGas lasers: General; Neutral gas (He-Ne); Ionized gas (argon ion); Molecules (CO2); Excimer lasers (ArF)\r\nLiquid lasers (dye laser)\r\nSolid-state lasers: General; Rare-earth-doped lasers (Nd:YAG and Er:fiber); Transition-metal-doped lasers (Ti: Sapphire); Changing the wavelength by optical nonlinear effects\r\nOther lasing mechanisms: Raman lasing\r\nCHAPTER 6: LASER DIODES:OPERATION PRINCIPLES\r\n\r\nGeometry and important characteristics\r\nMaterial aspects: heterostructures, gain and absorption, low dimensional materials,\r\nGain saturation\r\nFabry-Perot laser diodes: cavity resonance\r\nFabry-Perot laser diodes: rate equations and dynamic operation\r\nNoise: power spectrum and phase noise, injection locking\r\nCHAPTER 7: OVERVIEW OF SEMICONDUCTOR LASER TYPES\r\n\r\nDistributed Feedback and Distributed Bragg Reflector laser diodes\r\nVertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser diodes\r\nTunable laser diodes\r\nQuantum cascade lasers\r\nLaser diode packaging\r\nThis course is part of the European Master of Science in Photonics. Chapters 1 to 5 are taught by N. Vermeulen, both at VUB and UGent. Chapters 6-7 are taught by G. Verschaffelt at VUB and by G. Morthier at UGent.\nALGEMENE COMPETENTIES\r\nCONTEXT AND GENERAL AIM:\r\n\r\nSince their invention in 1960, lasers have become the most important light sources in optics and photonics, and are present everywhere in modern society nowadays. For example, worldwide telecommunication is based on the transmission of laser signals through optical fibers, and today’s manufacturing industry heavily relies on the use of high-irradiance laser beams. Other application domains include medicine, art restoration, remote sensing, biological spectroscopy, and many others. It is the general aim of this course that the students will become able to explain and analyse laser properties and laser-related concepts, that they learn to construct and analyse the mathematical description of important concepts, and that they are also able to apply the latter to practical examples on the use of lasers.\r\n\r\nEND COMPETENCES:\r\n\r\nThe targeted end competences can be categorized as follows:\r\n\r\nThe students are able to name, describe and explain laser properties and concepts, including:\r\nspontaneous and stimulated emission, absorption, coherence, heterostructures for efficient light generation, light propagation in a resonator, continuous-wave and pulsed laser action, line broadening, saturation, Gaussian laser beams, operation and applications of different laser types (gas lasers, liquid lasers, solid-state lasers, semiconductor lasers), laser dynamics, noise, Bragg gratings, wavelength tuning, laser packaging.\r\n\r\nThe students have the ability to derive from first principles the mathematical description for laser-related concepts, including:\r\nrate equations describing the general operation principle of laser action and formulas for continuous-wave/pulsed laser operation, formulas for the modes in different types of resonators with different stability criteria, equations for propagation and transformation of Gaussian and multimode laser beams in optical systems, laser rate equations for different types of semiconductor lasers, formulas describing the gain and complex refractive index in semiconductor materials, description of the linewidth of lasers, formulas for the dynamic behaviour of lasers.\r\n\r\nThe students know how to explain and analyse the above-enlisted mathematical descriptions for laser-related concepts.\r\nThe students are able to apply the mathematical descriptions to practical examples and to use these descriptions to solve practical problems.\r\nEXAM:\r\n\r\nThe students are evaluated according to the above-enlisted end competences in an oral exam with written preparation (open questions, closed book)." . . "Presential"@en . "FALSE" . . "Master of Science in Physics and Astronomy"@en . . "https://images.communicate.vub.ac.be/Web/VUB/%7Be03fbc44-87f1-488a-badd-e287777c0353%7D_WE_oplBrochure_MB_EN_Physics-Astronomy_8P.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=eloqua&utm_content=MARCOM%20REKRUTERING%20brochure%20download%20ENG&%3Cutm_campaign= https://www.vub.be/en/studying-vub/all-study-programmes-vub/bachelors-and-masters-programmes-vub/master-in-physics-and-astronomy/program/master/master-physics-and-astronomy-minor-research\n" . "120"^^ . "Presential"@en . "The Master of Science in Physics and Astronomy: Minor Research is composed of 30 ECTS compulsory courses, 30 ECTS master thesis, 10-12 ECTS external mobility courses and 48-50 ECTS minor Research Electives. Our Master is jointly organized with UGent.\n\nPhysics aims at understanding the world around us by observing it from the smallest scales to the scale of the universe itself. From those observations, models are built to allow us to understand, explain and eventually predict the behavior of nature. The Master in Physics and Astronomy provides a comprehensive education in physics covering the particle physics, general relativity, astrophysics and the study of complex systems.\n\nThis master will give you quantitative and analytic skills that are useful to solve many problems arising in many areas beyond physics."@en . . . "2"@en . "TRUE" . . "Master"@en . "Thesis" . "1092.10" . "Euro"@en . "3620.00" . "Recommended" . "As a physicist you will be in high demand on the job market. With a master in Physics and Astronomy from VUB, you will have the knowledge and skills to land a job in one of many diverse sectors.\n\nThere is plenty of work in scientific research at universities and research institutes. In industry, in modelling, statistics and informatics. Alternatively, work on risk analysis and modelling in the banking, finance or pharmaceuticals sectors. You will also be valuable in the field of education. Infinite opportunities, in fact!"@en . "2"^^ . "TRUE" . "Upstream"@en . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .