Longitudinal modeA longitudinal mode of a resonant cavity is a particular standing wave pattern formed by waves confined in the cavity. The longitudinal modes correspond to the wavelengths of the wave which are reinforced by constructive interference after many reflections from the cavity's reflecting surfaces. All other wavelengths are suppressed by destructive interference. A longitudinal mode pattern has its nodes located axially along the length of the cavity.
Optical parametric oscillatorAn optical parametric oscillator (OPO) is a parametric oscillator that oscillates at optical frequencies. It converts an input laser wave (called "pump") with frequency ωp{\displaystyle \omega _{p}} into two output waves of lower frequency (ωs,ωi{\displaystyle \omega _{s},\omega _{i}}) by means of second-ordernonlinear optical interaction.
LaserA laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation. The word laser originated as an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. The first laser was built in 1960 by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories, based on theoretical work by Charles H. Townes and Arthur Leonard Schawlow and the optical amplifier patented by Gordon Gould.
MirrorObject that reflects an imageA mirror reflecting the image of a vaseA first-surface mirror coated with aluminium and enhanced with dielectric coatings.Transverse modeA transverse mode of electromagnetic radiation is a particular electromagnetic field pattern of the radiation in the plane perpendicular (i.e., transverse) to the radiation's propagation direction. Transverse modes occur in radio waves and microwaves confined to a waveguide, and also in light waves in an optical fiber and in a laser's optical resonator. Transverse modes occur because of boundary conditions imposed on the wave by the waveguide.
Active laser mediumThe active laser medium (also called a gain medium or lasing medium) is the source of optical gain within a laser. The gain results from the stimulated emission of photons through electronic or molecular transitions to a lower energy state from a higher energy state previously populated by a pump source.
ResonancePhysical characteristic of oscillating systems
Microwave cavityA microwave cavity or radio frequency cavity (RF cavity) is a special type of resonator, consisting of a closed (or largely closed) metal structure that confines electromagnetic fields in the microwave or RF region of the spectrum. The structure is either hollow or filled with dielectric material. The microwaves bounce back and forth between the walls of the cavity. At the cavity's resonant frequencies they reinforce to form standing waves in the cavity.Mode (electromagnetism)The mode of electromagnetic systems describes the field pattern of the propagating waves. Some of the classifications of electromagnetic modes include; Modes in waveguides and transmission lines. These modes are analogous to the normal modes of vibration in mechanical systems. Transverse modes, modes that have at least one of the electric field and magnetic field entirely in a transverse direction.FeedbackFeedback occurs when outputs of a system are routed back as inputs as part of a chain of cause and effect that forms a circuit or loop. The system can then be said to feed back into itself. The notion of cause-and-effect has to be handled carefully when applied to feedback systems: Simple causal reasoning about a feedback system is difficult because the first system influences the second and second system influences the first, leading to a circular argument.
InterferometryMeasurement method using interference of wavesFigure 1. The light path through a Michelson interferometer. The two light rays with a common source combine at the half-silvered mirror to reach the detector.
Electromagnetic radiationPhysical model of propagating energyA linearly polarized electromagnetic wave going in the z-axis, with E denoting the electric field and perpendicular B denoting magnetic fieldIn physics, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or an electromagnetic wave (EMW) is a self-propagating wave of the electromagnetic field that carries momentum and radiant energy through space.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.