Solid-State Laser Engineering, written from an industrial perspective, 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. This new edition has extensively been updated to account for recent developments in the areas of diode-laser pumping, laser materials, and nonlinear crystals. 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 physics, optics, and lasers. Dr. Koechner is founder and president of Fibertek, Inc., a research firm specializing in the design, development, and production of advanced solid-state lasers, optical radars, and remote-sensing systems.

This book has once again been updated to keep pace with recent developments and to maintain Koechner's position as "the bible" of the field. Written from an industrial perspective, it provides a detailed discussion of, and data for, solid-state lasers, their characteristics, design and construction.

1. Introduction.- 2. Properties of Solid-State Laser Materials.- 3. Laser Oscillator.- 4. Laser Amplifier.- 5. Optical Resonator.- 6. Optical Pump Systems.- 7. Thermo-Optic Effects and Heat Removal.- 8. Q-Switching.- 9. Mode Locking.- 10. Nonlinear Devices.- 11. Damage of Optical Elements.- Appendix A Laser Safety.- Appendix B Conversion Factors and Constants.- References.