This new Fifth Edition of Principles of Lasers incorporates corrections to the previous edition. The text’s essential mission remains the same: to provide a wide-ranging yet unified description of laser behavior, physics, technology, and current applications. Dr. Svelto emphasizes the physical rather than the mathematical aspects of lasers, and presents the subject in the simplest terms compatible with a correct physical understanding.
This book is motivated by the very favorable reception given to the previous editions as well
as by the considerable range of new developments in the laser field since the publication of
the third edition in 1989. These new developments include, among others, Quantum-Well and
Multiple-QuantumWell lasers, diode-pumped solid-state lasers, new concepts for both stable
and unstable resonators, femtosecond lasers, ultra-high-brightness lasers etc. The basic aim
of the book has remained the same, namely to provide a broad and unified description of laser
behavior at the simplest level which is compatible with a correct physical understanding. The
book is therefore intended as a text-book for a senior-level or first-year graduate course and/or
as a reference book.