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