Solid-State Mid-Infrared Laser Sources (Topics in Applied Physics (89))

The book describes the most advanced techniques for generating coherent light in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum. These techniques represent diverse areas of photonics and include heterojunction semiconductor lasers, quantum cascade lasers, tunable crystalline lasers, fiber lasers, Raman lasers, and optical parametric laser sources. Offering authoritative reviews by internationally recognized experts, the book provides a wealth of information on the essential principles and methods of the generation of coherent mid-infrared light and on some of its applications. The instructive nature of the book makes it an excellent text for physicists and practicing engineers who want to use mid-infrared laser sources in spectroscopy, medicine, remote sensing and other fields, and for researchers in various disciplines requiring a broad introduction to the subject. Mid-Infrared 2—5 μm Heterojunction Laser Diodes....Pages 1-61 High Performance Quantum Cascade Lasers and Their Applications....Pages 61-98 Mid-IR Difference Frequency Generation....Pages 99-143 Pulsed Mid-IR Optical Parametric Oscillators....Pages 144-183 Mid-Infrared Ultrafast and Continuous- Wave Optical Parametric Oscillators....Pages 184-224 Mid-Infrared Fiber Lasers....Pages 225-261 Crystalline Mid-Infrared Lasers....Pages 262-358 Crystalline and Fiber Raman Lasers....Pages 359-408 Narrow-Linewidth Tunable Terahertz-Wave Sources Using Nonlinear Optics....Pages 409-436 Mid-Infrared and THz Coherent Sources Using Semiconductor-Based Materials....Pages 437-457 Mid-Infrared Laser Applications in Spectroscopy....Pages 458-529 Mid-IR Laser Applications in Medicine....Pages 530-565 This collection of authoritative reviews by leading experts provides a broad and instructive introduction to the most advanced techniques for generating coherent light in the mid-infrared region of the spectrum. With a wealth of up-to-date references – also available online. Light sources emitting in the mid-infrared (IR) wavelength domain (2-5 m) arouse a growing interest due to their potential applications in telecommunications and molecular spectroscopy.