Laser Resonators and the Beam Divergence Problem [Hardcover]

Professor Yurii A. Anan'ev has a long-standing international reputation for his publications on optical beams and resonators. Now many of his contributions will be readily available for the first time in a book. The generation of maximum power, minimum divergence beams from laser resonators is probably the most important topic in quantum electronics and optics today. The only book of its kind, Laser Resonators and the Beam Divergence Problem covers not only the theory, but also the applications of resonators to real systems as opposed to idealized models. Each rigorous examination of an optical configuration is accompanied by a detailed discussion of its associated applications and of the considerations for the user in practical work. The book contains a wealth of information on the developments in resonator technology, including much material previously unavailable outside the Soviet Union. It is an essential reference source to every researcher in laser science and technology.FOREWORD BY A.E. SIEGMAN

INTRODUCTION
Briefly on the history and essence of the problem

THE LAWS OF LIGHT-BEAM PROPAGATION
Fundamentals of the theory of multielement optical systems
Laws of propagation for major types of light beams
Angular divergence of radiation

IDEAL RESONATORS
General information on open resonators
Classification of open optical resonators and the condition of their equivalence
Stable resonators
Plane resonators
Unstable resonator

BASIC CONCEPTS CONCERNING THE PROPERTIES OF REAL RESONATORS AND THE PROCESSES OCCURRING IN THEM
Some experimental data and their discussion
Principal kinds of perturbations and parasitic effects
Large-scale aberrations and light scattering
Mode competition in the onset of lasing and in steady-state operation
Pump energy conversion efficiency in laser resonators

RESONATOR APPLICATIONS AND SPECIAL CONlÃ-