Ultrafast Laser Physics
This is a graduate level class with the goal to give the non-expert an efficient starting position to enter the field of ultrafast laser physics. The lecture covers technologies for ultrashort optical pulse generation with durations from nanoseconds to attoseconds and over a wide range of the electro-magnetic spectrum. It presents the physics of ultrashort laser pulses and their interaction with matter. We discuss how to characterize such pulses and how to successfully use them to measure ultrafast dynamical processes. A basic knowledge in lasers and the undergraduate class in Quantum Electronics are recommended.
Info
Prof. Dr. L. Gallmann will give the Ultrafast Laser Physics lecture during the fall semester HS 2024.
Lecture:
Tuesday, 9:45 - 11:30, HCI J6
Wednesday, 12:45 - 13:30, HCI J6
Exercises:
Wednesday, 13:45 - 15:30, HCI D6
Thursday, 7:45 - 9:30, HIT F 31.1
Content
- Linear pulse propagation and dispersion compensation
- Nonlinear pulse propagation and nonlinear optics with ultrashort pulses
- Relaxation oscillations and Q-switching
- Active and passive modelocking
- Pulse duration and pulse shape measurements
- Pump probe measurements and noise
- Frequency combs and carrier envelope offset phase
- High-harmonic generation and attosecond science
- Ultrafast THz science
- Hot topics in ultrafast science
Literature
The lecture is based on the book:
Keller, U., Ultrafast Lasers, Springer, 2021
ISBN 978-3-030-82531-7
ETH students and staff can download an external page electronic copy of the book free of charge.
Suggested book for the prerequisite knowledge (Quantum Electronics):
Saleh, B. E. A., Teich, M. C., Fundamentals of Photonics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1991
Lecture Viewgraphs
Exercises
Lecture recording
The lecture from fall semester 2024 is being recorded and recordings will appear on the ETH video portal. Older recordings from fall semester 2020 can be found on the ETH video portal as well.