FY801: Laser physics and laser spectroscopy (5 ECTS)

STADS: 07004001

Level
Master's level course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: vvp@sdu.dk

Additional teachers
fiutowski@mci.sdu.dk
rle@iti.sdu.dk
job@iti.sdu.dk

Timetable
Show entire timetable
Show personal time table for this course.

Prerequisites:
None

Academic preconditions:
Knowledge of Electromagnetism I + II (FY503 + FY506) and Thermal physics (FY509) is assumed.

Course introduction
In this course the students will get a basic understanding of the physics of lasers, their unique properties and potential for applications in optical spectroscopy.

Expected learning outcome
After the course the students should be able to:

• Explain and use most basic principles of laser physics and laser spectroscopy
• Determine the wavelength of a laser
• Determine the spectral bandwidth of a laser using Fabry-Perot interferometer
• Measure the internal divergence of a laser beam
• Investigate the mode structure of a laser
• Construct a simple dye laser and make it tunable
• Convert the laser wavelength using technique of frequency doubling
• Obtain and interpret electronic spectra of a simple diatomic molecule
• Propose different ways to apply laser light in spectroscopic experiments

Subject overview
The principles of lasers. The use of lasers in different areas of physics, and spectroscopy with lasers compared to other forms of spectroscopy. The first 3-5 weeks will introduce the background theory in lectures (a total of 20 hours). The experimental part consists of three experimental projects done in groups of 3-4 students, in non-scheduled, but individually planned sessions, a total of 30 hours in the laboratories. The final report will account for the rest of the credits. The key experiments deal with: the properties of continuous lasers with a fixed wavelength and lasers with variable wavelengths; the use of laser light for spectroscopic examination of molecular lithium, through which intra- and intermolecular constants are measured; capabilities and fabrication of pulsed lasers; second harmonic generation; fabrication and use of dye lasers for spectroscopic measurements; the use of lasers for characterization of metallic nanostructures (plasmonics).

Literature

• Hecht, E: Optics, Addison-Wesley.
• Demtröder: Laser Spectroscopy, Springer.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:
Oral examination based on report prepared by the candidate, graded according to the 7-point gracing scale, internal censorship.

Re-examination in the same exam period or immediately thereafter. The examination type at re-examination may differ from the one at the ordinary examination.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 22 hours
Skills training phase: 32 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 2 hours
 - Laboratory exercises: 30 hours
 - Excursion: 2 hours

Educational activities Study phase: 32 hours

Language
This course is taught in English.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.