6 EC
Semester 2, period 4
53548ULL6Y
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.
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.
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).
|
Activity |
Number of hours |
|
Hoorcollege |
42 |
|
Tentamen |
3 |
|
Zelfstudie |
109 |
Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).
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.
| 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.
The date, time and location of the inspection moment are in the DataNose timetable.
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
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
| 1 | Lasers, pulses and propagation | chapter 1-2 |
| 2 | Dispersion compensation, modelocking of lasers, (chirped pulse) amplification | chapter 3-5 |
| 3 | Nonlinear optics in the perturbative regime | chapter 6-7 |
| 4 | Parametric amplification and pulse measurement | chapter 8-9 |
| 5 | Frequency comb lasers and applications, coherent control | chapter 10 + 11 + papers |
| 6 | High-harmonic generation and attosecond physics | Paper + extra sheets |
| 7 | Light-matter interaction (Bloch), photon echoes, THZ generation | chapter 12 + papers |
| 8 | exam |
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
Recommended prior knowledge: a decent background in optics (e.g. the book 'Optics' by E. Hecht), and basic quantum mechanics and electrodynamics.
You could 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.
Please use my VU email address to contact: k.s.e.eikema@vu.nl