9451583 Clark A laser laboratory will be developed to complement the Lasers lecture course currently taught. Upper-level undergraduate physics and engineering physics students are the primary target for the Lasers course and this quarter-long (10-week) laboratory. Students working in groups of 2 to 3 will rotate through laboratory experiments. These experiments will be developed to reinforce the concepts and models discussed in lecture. The Laser Laboratory experiments will cover three basic components. First, the experiments will provide introductory investigations to basic laser parameters, such as laser power, beam divergence and cavity mode structure. Second, the students will learn current optical techniques for probing matter, in particular potential laser media. Finally, the students will receive hands on experience in the assembling and evaluation of modern laser systems. We will acquire state-of-the-art light detection and laser systems which will be utilized in essentially all laboratory components. The acquired instrumentation will also be used in upgrading experiments for the upper level Applied Optics Laboratory and provide further opportunities for senior projects.
