We look at sources of laser frequency noise and discuss feedback techniques using a reference cavity or a molecular transition to stabilize the laser frequency.

Ultrafast Spectroscopy

Nov 19th, 2009 1h 3m

We look at pump probe methods using ultrafast pulses for high temporal resolution experiments.

Short Pulse Generation

Nov 17th, 2009 1h 16m

We look at transient effects in laser gain material, -switching and mode locking as methods to get short pulses.

Raman Scattering

Nov 10th, 2009 1h 15m

Podcsat from 2008 of lecture on Raman spectroscopy. This is in place of the 11/9 lecture given about Raman spectroscopy, for which the audio didn't record properly.

Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy

Nov 10th, 2009 1h 15m

Podcsat from 2008 of lecture on stimulated Raman scattering. This content was not covered in class this semester. This is for your interest only and will not be covered on exams.

Nonlinear Spectroscopy

Nov 5th, 2009 1h 17m

We look at how saturation causes hole burning in a spectral line, and measurement techniques such as lamb-dip spectroscopy and intermodulated fluorescence that can take advantage of this for doppler-free measurements.

Emission Spectroscopy

Oct 29th, 2009 1h 13m

We look at basic methods of emission spectroscopy including laser induced fluorescence, resonant enhanced multi-photon emission (REMPI), intermodulated fluorescence and stimulated emission pumping.

Absorption Spectroscopy

Oct 27th, 2009 1h 17m

WE look at basic techniques of absorption spectroscopy including direct detection, frequency modulation, intracavity absorption and cavity ringdown spectroscopy.

spectral line profiles

Oct 22nd, 2009 1h 15m

We look at how the natural lifetime of an energy level produces a Lorentzian line profile and how the natural linewidth can be broadened by Doppler broadening, pressure broadening, transit time broadening and saturation broadening.

Interferometers

Oct 13th, 2009 1h 15m

We look at how interferometers can be used to measure wanelength.

Spectrometer Operation

Oct 8th, 2009 1h 19m

We look at the principles of operation of prism spectrometers and grating spectrometers and discuss operating characteristics (speed, resolving power, spectral transmission and free spectral range).

Photodetectors

Oct 6th, 2009 1h 20m

We consider the advantages and disadvantages of three classes of photodetectors: photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes and thermal detectors.

Tunable Lasers

Sep 29th, 2009 1h 14m

We look at several examples of tunable lasers and discuss nonlinear optics as a mechanism to increase the region of the spectrum available from laser sources.

Fundamentals of Lasers

Sep 24th, 2009 1h 18m

We look at 3-level and 4-level gain systems in laser amplifiers, discuss optical cavities and tuning elements of laser oscillators.

Molecular Absorption

Sep 24th, 2009 1h 2m

We look at an example of calculating the bond length and bond strength of HCl from a measured mid IR absorption spectrum.

Molecular Energy Levels

Sep 24th, 2009 1h 20m

We look at energy levels associated with rotation and vibration of molecular bonds

Energy Levels

Sep 15th, 2009 1h 15m

We look at the Bohr model of the atom and see how it can be used to explain the line spectrum of Hydrogen, and then generalize to other atoms.

Gravity Measurements

Sep 10th, 2009 1h 11m

We look at an application of our previous quantum treatment of the two-level atom for measuring G the universal gravitational constant.

Quantum Model of Absorption

Sep 3rd, 2009 1h 17m

We look at absorption as a quantum effect and introduce the Einstein A and B coefficients for stimulated and spontaneous emission.

Index of Refraction and Absorption

Sep 1st, 2009 1h 11m

We use the classical electron oscillator model to derive the functional form of the index of refraction in material as well as the absorption, which we relate to the cross section.