This second edition, appearing about twenty years after the discovery of the laser is a substantially revised version of the first edition. It is, like the first, aimed at both classroom teaching and self-study by technical personnel interested in learning the principles of laser operation. In preparing the second edition the hope has been that both these aims will be better served as a result of the various improvements made. The main changes have been made with the following aims in mind: (i) To update the book. Thus new topics have been added (in particular on various new types of lasers, e. g. , rare-gas-halide excimer lasers, color-center lasers, and free-electron lasers), while on the other hand some topics have been given less emphasis (again this applies particularly to some types of lasers, e. g. , the ruby laser). Updating is especially important in the area of laser applications, and the chapter on this topic has therefore been com- pletely rewritten. (ii) To make some improvements to the logical consis- tency of the book by rearranging material and adding new material. Thus a few topics have been moved from one section to another and a new chapter entitled Laser Beam Transformation has been added. (iii) To further reduce the mathematical content, placing greater emphasis on physical descrip- tions of phenomena.
From the reviews of earlier editions:
“Certainly, the student who is led into the laser field by this text is lucky. The text is excellent and filled with appropriate illustrations. The questions are also helpful as they highlight the important topics. All important types of lasers are considered and for each type the proper background is developed. For many years, this book has been the standard against which other textbooks in this field were measured, mostly unfavourably. This edition will certainly retain its top place.” (Optics & Laser Technology, 31, 1999)
“Professor Svelto is himself a longtime laser pioneer and his text shows the breadth of his broad acquaintance with all aspects of the field ... Anyone mastering the contents of this book will be well prepared to understand advanced treatises and research papers in laser science and technology.” (Arthur L. Schawlow, 1981 Nobel Laureate in Physics)
“Already well established as a self-contained introduction to the physics and technology of lasers ... Professor Svelto’s book, in this lucid translation by David Hanna, can be strongly recommended for self-study or teaching at the final-year undergraduate or first-year post-graduate levels.” (Physics Bulletin)
“A thorough understanding of this book in conjunction with one of the existing volumes on laser safety will go a long way in providing the health physicist with the understanding he needs ... Highly recommended.” (Health Physics)
“Introduces laser science and technology with the accessibility appropriate for the nonspecialist and the enthusiasm of the pioneer.” (Laser Focus)
“A very good introduction to laser theory and practice ... aimed at upper-level undergraduate students. It is logically organized and easy to read ... Most of the basic mathematical framework needed to understand this evolving field is presented. Every chapter contains a good set of problems, answers to some of which are given in the back.” (Sci-Tech News)
From the reviews of the fifth edition:
“The aim of the book is stated as ‘to provide a broad and unified description of laser behaviour at the simplest level which is compatible with a correct physical understanding’. ... The index is comprehensive and helpful. The book is well-structured and illustrated with numerous black-and-white figures. ... The overall quality of the making, the print and the paper is good. The book can be recommended without constraint especially to advanced undergraduate students who look for a broad overview of modern laser physics and technology.” (Manuel Vogel, Contemporary Physics, Vol. 53 (2) March-April, 2012)
