This book deals principally with the design and development of lasers, and is the only book available dealing exclusively with solid-state lasers. Emphasis is placed on engineering and practical considerations. Since its first edition almost 30 years ago this book has become the standard in the field of solid-state lasers for scientists, engineers and graduate students. This new edition has been extensively revised and updated to account for recent developments in the field, and completely new sections have been added. The book is written from an industrial perspective and its author received his doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Technology in Vienna, Austria, in 1965.

He has published numerous papers in the fields of solid-state lasers, optics and solid-state physics.

Walter Koechner received a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Technology in Vienna, Austria, in 1965. He has published numerous papers in the fields of solid-state lasers, optics and solid-state physics. Dr. Koechner is founder of Fibertek, Inc., a research company specializing in the design, development and production of advanced solid-state lasers, optical radars, and remote sensing systems.

Written from an industrial perspective this book discusses in detail the characteristics, design, construction, and performance of solid-state lasers. Emphasis is placed on engineering and practical considerations; phenomenological aspects using models are preferred to abstract mathematical derivations. Since its first edition almost 30 years ago this book has become the standard in the field of solid-state lasers for scientists, engineers and graduate students. This edition has been extensively revised and updated to account for recent developments in the areas of diode-laser pumping, laser materials and nonlinear crystals, and entire new sections have been added.

Energy Transfer Between Radiation and Atomic Transitions.- Properties of Solid-State Laser Materials.- Laser Oscillator.- Laser Amplifier.- Optical Resonator.- Optical Pump Systems.- Thermo-Optic Effects.- Q-Switching.- Mode Locking.- Nonlinear Devices.- Damage of Optical Elements.