Laser Physics

This textbook is well suited for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. It is written with the fine-tuned pedagogical style of master teachers, and it is replete with well-integrated figures and insightful problem sets at the end of each chapter. * Barry R. Masters, OPN Optics & Photonics News 2011 *
There is no question in my mind that for expositional clarity and completeness this book far surpasses all the others I've seen. The authors are to be congratulated. I have little doubt it will be become the standard Laser Physics text against which all others will have to be judged (and mostly found wanting). The treatment of explanatory footnotes is superb; it immediately raised the question of why it wasn't done this way years ago? The ability to jot down notes in a truly generous margin is also a great feature. It's not only a textbook for students; from my point of view everyone working with lasers will find it useful. It may become the standard quick reference for lasers; the book everyone reaches for when a question comes up. * Alan White, Formerly of Bell Laboratories, and co-inventor of the red HeNe gas laser *
Very well-written while using a clear and concise style. Figures are plentiful and neatly printed...impressive array of topics. Laser Physics , by Hooker and Webb, is highly recommended as a text book and to practitioners seeking to review some of the basics. * Optics Journal *
Hooker and Webb have drawn on their vast experience of laser research to produce a textbook which is a real tour de force. The lucid treatment of fundamental laser physics in the early chapters is followed by a detailed account of modern laser materials and devices. This superb book will undoubtedly become an essential text for undergraduates and researchers alike. * Simon L. Cornish, Royal Society University Research Fellow, Durham University *
This is an absolute tour de force in laser physics and is set to establish itself as a key undergraduate text in this topical area, however, it most certainly would not be out of place as an indispensible reference in the research laboratory. A comprehensive treatment is provided for the basic operation of a generic laser through to the characteristics of all the important modern laser systems and the key features such as single frequency operation, ultrashort pulse generation and measurement and application to non linear optics. * J.R. Taylor, Imperial College, London *
This is an extraordinarily complete and interesting textbook on lasers. It covers all main topics in laser physics, from historical ruby lasers to the latest developments in non-linear optics, ultra-short pulse generation and frequency combs. This vast subject is treated with a unique and tasty blend of fundamental physics, engineering considerations and practical applications. The agreeable presentation makes it possible to get to the main points at a glance. All useful fundamental concepts, from atomic to solid state physics, from electromagnetism to optics, are clearly introduced, making the whole book extremely self-contained. It will thus be useful for a large audience, from undergraduate students to their professors, who will particularly appreciate the wealth of interesting exercises at the ends of the chapters. It will also rapidly become a reference on state-of-the art laser techniques for researchers and engineers. * Jean-Michel Raimond, Université Pierre et Marie Curie *