Design and device implementation of diode pumped solid state lasers, nonlinear frequency conversion, Q-switching, mode locking, and pulsed second harmonic generation.

Principles of laser amplification and oscillations; design of lasers; general characteristics of excitation systems.

Normal modes (dipole and Raman active); microscopic theory of absorption, dispersion, and refraction; wave propagation, crystal optics; scattering mechanisms; optical activity.

Solid State Laser systems, materials, pump sources, rod and stab geometries, resonator concepts, limiting and performance definitions.

Introduction to theory and experimental basis of both weakly and highly ionized plasmas. Instabilities, plasma waves, nonlinear effects, controlled thermonuclear fusion.

An introduction to the science and applications of modern x-ray optics, x-ray lasers, etc., with a review of basic properties of x-rays.