Lasers For Scientists And Engineers By Fernando Maia
 

What you'll learn
Explain the fundamental physical principles behind laser operation, including absorption, spontaneous emission, and stimulated emission.
Analyze and model light propagation in optical media using ray and wave optics principles.
Evaluate and design passive optical resonators, assessing mode structures, loss mechanisms, and stability conditions.
Apply rate equations to model continuous wave laser operation, determine threshold conditions, and optimize output characteristics.
Requirements
Linear Algebra
Calculus
Electromagnetism
Basic Quantum Mechanics
Description
Discover the Power Behind the BeamLasers are everywhere - in medicine, manufacturing, communication, research, and even space exploration. But do you really know how they work - and what makes them so uniquely powerful?In "Lasers for Scientists and Engineers," you won't just learn how to use lasers - you'll learn how to truly understand them. We'll take you deep into the physics, optics, and quantum principles that make laser light possible. Along the way, you'll build the intuition, problem-solving skills, and mathematical foundation to design, analyze, and apply lasers with clarity and confidence.Guided by Fernando Maia - a passionate physicist, educator, and laser expert - you'll explore:The fundamentals of laser operation and key terminologyHow light interacts with atoms to create population inversion and stimulated emissionWave and ray optics in real-world optical systemsThe design, behavior, and stability of optical resonatorsHow continuous-wave lasers work, including rate equations and threshold conditionsPractical applications, performance limits, and how to think critically about laser setupsThis course is for curious minds who want more than surface-level knowledge. Whether you're aiming to work with lasers, develop groundbreaking technologies, or simply unlock the elegance of laser science - this is where your journey begins.Let's do this!
Who this course is for
Physics students who want to go beyond the basics and understand the fundamental principles behind laser operation.
Engineering students interested in the physics and design of optical and laser systems.
Scientists and researchers who use lasers in experiments and want to build a deeper theoretical foundation.
Engineers and technical professionals seeking a rigorous, physics-based understanding of how lasers work.