Calendar

LEC # TOPICS KEY DATES

1

Introduction to Ultrafast Optics

2

Maxwell-Bloch Equation

Problem set 1 out

3

Two-Level Atoms and Rabi Flopping

4

Dispersion, Absorption, Gain

5

Nonlinear Pulse Propagation

Problem set 1 due

Problem set 2 out

6

Pulse Compression

7

Self-Phase Modulation (SPM) and Solitons

Problem set 2 due

Problem set 3 out

8

Soliton Perturbation Theory

9

Rate Equations and Relaxation Oscillation

Problem set 3 due

Problem set 4 out

10

Q-Switching

11

Master Equation and Active Mode-Locking

Problem set 4 due

Problem set 5 out

12

Passive Mode-Locking with Fast Saturable Absorbers

13

Passive Mode-Locking with Slow Saturable Absorbers

Problem set 5 due

Problem set 6 out

14

Artificial Saturable Absorber Mode-Locking (APM and KLM)

15

Kerr-Lens Mode-Locking (KLM)

Problem set 6 due

Problem set 7 out

16

Semiconductor Saturable Absorber Mode-Locking

17

Pulse Characterization I - Autocorrelation

Term paper proposal due

Problem set 7 due

Problem set 8 out

18

Pulse Characterization II - FROG and SPIDER

19

Noise in Mode-Locked Lasers

Problem set 8 due

Problem set 9 out

20

Frequency Metrology

21

Ultrafast Measurement Techniques

Problem set 9 due

Problem set 10 out

22

Pulse Amplification

23

Optical Parametric Amplification (OPA) and Optical Parametric Oscillation (OPO)

Problem set 10 due

24

Broadband Parametric Amplification

25

High-Harmonic Generation and Seeded Free-Electron Lasers

26

Ultrafast Optics Group Lab Tour

Term paper due