Basics of Lasers and Laser Optics

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the entering professional or graduate student to the basics of laser physics and optics. I start with the various types of lasers, some rather exotic, and the ever-increasing span of wavelengths that has resulted since the laser’s invention in 1960. I then discuss typical techniques as well as the “rules of thumb” used to transport and manipulate the laser output so it can be used for materials processing. The chapter concludes with a discussion of laser damage, as these physical processes limit the ability to transport and manipulate high intensity beams.

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