Ultrafast Laser Physics

6 EC

Semester 2, period 4

53548ULL6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator prof. dr. K.S.E. Eikema
Part of Master Physics and Astronomy, track Advanced Matter and Energy Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

This course gives an overview of the fascinating field of ultrafast laser physics and phenomena, and the numerous applications. It starts with basic concepts of lasers follow by concepts of dispersion (in 1st and higher order) and pulse propagation effects, combined with some basic nonlinear effects to understand the principles of ultrafast oscillators and amplifiers. Then nonlinear processes with ultrafast pulses such as second-harmonic generation, parametric amplification, stimulated Raman scattering, and continuum generation are discussed. Also coherent control and the techniques of spectral and temporal shaping of pulses is treated. A major part is about femtosecond frequency comb lasers and its many applications (such as precision measurement to test fundamental physics). Another important field that is covered is high-harmonic generation and the resulting field of attosecond physics. Also the basics of pulse characterization techniques (such as autocorrelation, FROG, and SPIDER) will be covered. After this course you will have a nice overview of this field and you will be able to understand most of the literature about it.

Study materials

Syllabus

  • A syllabus in pdf format will be provided.

Other

  • Some papers will be provided during the lectures.

Objectives

  • To understand contemporary literature (e.g. research papers) on ultrafast lasers and their many (amazing) applications, ranging from attosecond physics to ultra-precise measurements for tests of the fundamental laws of physics.
  • Understand the theoretical and practical aspects of experiments with ultrafast laser pulses.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Exercises during the lectures

The lecture and exercises are mixed during the 3 hours per lecture. There are also at least 2 lab visits scheduled where we can see the things in practice; always a lot of fun.

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Hoorcollege

 42

Tentamen

3

Zelfstudie

109

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    There is no requirement to attend the lectures, but it is highly recommended to do so as many extra things & details are discussed during the lecture that are not present in the syllabus.

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    1 (100%)

    Tentamen

    During the exam you can only use a simple calculator, but no books or syllabus are permitted. 

    Inspection of assessed work

    The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen (please look at Canvas for the actual schedule) Studiestof
    1  Lasers, pulses and propagation chapter 1-3
    2  Dispersion compensation, modelocking of lasers, (chirped pulse) amplification  chapter 3-4
    3  Nonlinear optics in the perturbative regime  chapter 6
    4  Continuum generation, Parametric amplification   chapter 7+8
    5 High-harmonic generation and attosecond physics  HHG
    6 Frequency comb lasers and applications + pulse characterization  Chapt 10 + Paper + presentation
    7  Coherent control + discussion test exam  chapter 11 + papers
    8  exam  

    Additional information

    Recommended prior knowledge: a decent background in optics (e.g. the book 'Optics' by E. Hecht), and basic quantum mechanics and electrodynamics.

    You can consider buying the following book, but it is not necessary:

    J.C. Diels and W. Rudolph, Ultrashort Laser Pulse Phenomena, second edition

    None of the books presently available cover everything of the course, but if you consider working in the area of ultrafast lasers, than this book can be helpful.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • prof. dr. K.S.E. Eikema

    Please use my (Kjeld Eikema) VU email address to contact: k.s.e.eikema@vu.nl

    Most of teaching is done by Kjeld Eikema, and 2 lectures (HHG + atto-physics) are by Peter Kraus (p.kraus@arcnl.nl)