A Beginner's Guide to Lasers and Their Applications, Part 1

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: Behavior of light.- Chapter 3: Quantization of Energy.- Chapter 4: Lasers - At a Glance.- Chapter 5: Population Inversion and Consideration of Energy Levels of a lasing medium.- Chapter 6: Cavity and its Bearing on the Operation of Lasers.- Chapter 7: Continuous and Pulsed Lasers.- Chapter 8: Broadening of Gain and its Bearing on the Laser Subtleties.- Chapter 9: Boosting the Performance of a Pulsed Laser.- Chapter 10: Different Types of Lasers.- Chapter 11: Molecular gas lasers.- Chapter 12: Semiconductor lasers.

Dhruba Biswas joined the laser program of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, in 1979 after obtaining his M.Sc. (Physics) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He later obtained his Ph.D. from Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK, in 1986, under the supervision of his mentor Prof. Robert G. Harrison. His research work over the years has encompassed physics and technology of lasers, optical chaos, laser isotope separation, non-linear optics, laser assisted surface cleaning & modification.  He has to date over a hundred peer reviewed research publications.  While his work is commendable with respect to the new results that are of considerable academic value, it assumes greater significance as it involves technological innovations particularly appropriate from the point of view of a developing nation. He has been a recipient of a number of national and international awards, including the Indian National Science Academy Young Scientist Award in Physics, Indian National Science Academy A. K. Bose Memorial Award in Physical Sciences, N. S. Satyamurty Memorial Award of Indian Physics Association, Homi Bhabha Science & Technology Award of the Department of Atomic Energy, and Senior Associateship of the International Centre of Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy.  He has presented numerous invited talks in national and international symposiums, and seminars, both technical and popular, in India, USA, and many countries across Europe.  He has taught 'Laser Physics & Technology' course to both Physics trainees as well as all branches of engineering trainees of the BARC Training School for years nearly two decades.