Ultrafast Laser Physics

Course manual 2016/2017

Course content

This course gives an overview of the fascinating field of ultrafast laser physics and phenomena, and the numerous applications. It starts with 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 in depth. Laser-matter interaction based on Bloch equations will be discussed, including photon echo and pump-probe/transient spectroscopy. Also coherent control and the techniques of spectral and temporal shaping of pulses is treated, illustrated with examples from physics and chemistry. Other topics that will be discussed include pulse characterization techniques (such as autocorrelation, FROG, and SPIDER), femtosecond frequency combs and its many applications, high-harmonic generation and the resulting field of attosecond physics. 

Study materials

Syllabus

• A syllabus in pdf format will be provided.

Other

• Some papers will be provided during the lectures.

Objectives

At the end of the course the student will be able to understand contemporary literature (e.g. research papers) on ultrafast phenomena and techniques, and understand many practical aspects about experiments with ultrafast pulses.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Exercises during the lectures

The lecture and exercises mix is typically not longer than 3 hours, even though the schedule might show 4 hours (the software can handle only blocks of 2 hours apparently).

Learning activities

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

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

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.

Assignments

Onderstaande opdrachten komen aan bod in deze cursus:

•    Naam opdracht 1 : beschrijving 2
•    Naam opdracht 2 : beschrijving 1
•    ....

Fraud and plagiarism

Dit vak hanteert de algemene ‘Fraude- en plagiaatregeling’ van de UvA. Onder plagiaat of fraude wordt verstaan het overschrijven van het werk van een medestudent dan wel het kopiëren van wetenschappelijke bronnen (uit bijvoorbeeld boeken en tijdschriften en van het Internet) zonder daarbij de bron te vermelden. Uiteraard is plagiaat verboden. Hier wordt nauwkeurig op gecontroleerd en streng tegen opgetreden. Bij verdenking van plagiaat wordt de examencommissie van de opleiding ingeschakeld. Wanneer de examencommissie overtuigd is dat er plagiaat gepleegd is dan kan dit maximaal leiden tot een uitsluiting van al het onderwijs van de opleiding voor een heel kalenderjaar. Zie voor meer informatie over het fraude- en plagiaatreglement van de Universiteit van Amsterdam.www.uva.nl/plagiaat

Course structure

Timetable