what is laser optics, how laser optics work?

The laws of laser optics are the same as they are for "regular" optics, but there is a special emphasis on advanced topics that only become important with lasers, such as:

(1) coherent optical phenomena, such as "speckle"
(2) nonlinear optics (frequency doubling and shifting, RAMAN shifting)
(3) resonator design, including resonator-amplifier "MOPAs"
(4) image sharpening with phase conjugation
(5) image sharpening with adaptive optics and "reference stars"
(6) picosecond and femtosecond phenomena. (Behavaor of atoms molecules that are instantaneuls excited to a particular quantum state).

These are complex topics and I suggest that you Google them separately to learn more. A foundation in classical physical and geometrical optics is strongly advised.

Laser optics is the branch of optics that deals with the study of lasers and their applications. It focuses on the manipulation, control, and characteristics of laser light.

To understand how laser optics works, it helps to first understand the basic principles of lasers. A laser (which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a device that produces an intense, highly focused beam of light. The laser beam consists of photons, which are particles of light.

In a laser, the light is produced through a process called stimulated emission. This process involves atoms or molecules in a laser medium (such as a crystal or a gas) being stimulated by an external light source or an electric current. As a result, these atoms or molecules release photons in a specific direction and with a specific energy level.

Laser optics involves several key components that influence the behavior of the laser light. Here are some of the fundamental elements:

1. Laser Medium: This is the material or substance that produces the laser light. It can be a solid-state crystal (like ruby or sapphire), a gas (such as helium-neon or carbon dioxide), or a semiconductor (like diode lasers).

2. Pump Source: The pump source supplies energy to the laser medium to excite its atoms or molecules. This energy input can be in the form of light, electric current, or even another laser.

3. Optical Cavity: The laser beam is formed within an optical cavity, which consists of two mirrors placed facing each other. One mirror is fully reflective, and the other is partially reflective. This arrangement creates a feedback loop that amplifies the light by reflecting it back and forth.

4. Gain Medium: The gain medium refers to the region within the laser cavity where the stimulated emission occurs. It allows for the amplification of the laser light.

5. Optical Components: Additional optical components, such as lenses, beam splitters, and filters, are often used in laser systems to manipulate and control the laser beam. These components help shape, focus, or filter the laser light as needed for specific applications.

By carefully selecting the laser medium, pump source, optical cavity design, and optical components, engineers and scientists can create lasers with specific characteristics, such as a particular wavelength, output power, beam quality, and coherence.

Laser optics also encompasses the study of various interactions between laser light and matter, such as absorption, scattering, refraction, and diffraction. Understanding these phenomena allows researchers to design and optimize laser systems for various applications, including laser cutting, laser welding, laser marking, medical procedures, scientific research, telecommunications, and more.

In summary, laser optics explores the properties and behavior of laser light, as well as the components and techniques used to generate, manipulate, and control laser beams for a wide range of applications.