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This book offers the reader a practical guide to the control and characterization of laser diode beams. Laser diodes are the most widely used lasers, accounting for 50% of the global laser market. Correct handling of laser diode beams is the key to the successful use of laser diodes, and this requires an in-depth understanding of their unique properties.

Following a short introduction to the working principles of laser diodes, the book describes the basics of laser diode beams and beam propagation, including Zemax modeling of a Gaussian beam propagating through a lens. The core of the book is concerned with laser diode beam manipulations: collimating and focusing, circularization and astigmatism correction, coupling into a single mode optical fiber, diffractive optics and beam shaping, and manipulation of multi transverse mode beams. The final chapter of the book covers beam characterization methods, describing the measurement of spatial and spectral properties, including wavelength and linewidth measurement techniques.

The book is a significantly revised and expanded version of the title Laser Diode Beam Basics, Manipulations and Characterizations by the same author. New topics introduced in this volume include: laser diode types and working principles, non-paraxial Gaussian beam, Zemax modeling, numerical analysis of a laser diode beam, spectral property characterization methods, and power and energy characterization techniques. The book approaches the subject in a practical way with mathematical content kept to the minimum level required, making the book a convenient reference for laser diode users.

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1 Laser Diode Basics.

1.1 Laser diode types. 1.2 Gain. 1.3 Spectral properties. 1.4 Power. 1.5 Temperature effects. 1.6 Electrical properties. 1.7 Main failure mechanism and how to protect laser diodes. 1.8 Laser diode mechanical properties, packages and modules. 1.9 Vendors and distributors of laser diodes, laser diode modules and laser diode optics. References.

2 Laser Diode Beam Basics.

2.1 Single transverse mode laser diode beams. 2.2 Multi transverse mode laser diode beams. 2.3 Laser diode beam propagation. 2.4 Zemax modeling of a Gaussian beam propagating through a lens. References.

3 Laser Diode Beam Manipulations.

3.1 Collimating and focusing. 3.2 Numerical analysis of propagation, focusing or collimating a laser diode beam. 3.3 Beam circularization and astigmatism correction. 3.4 Coupling a laser diode beam into a single mode optic fiber. 3.5 Aperture beam truncation effects. 3.6 Diffractive optics and beam shaping. 3.7 Effects of external optical feedback on laser diodes. 3.8 Multi Transverse Mode Laser Diode Beam Manipulation. References.

4 Laser Diode Beam Characterization.

4.1 Spatial property characterization. 4.2 Spectral property characterization: wavelength measurement. 4.3 Spectral property characterization: linewidth measurement. 4.4 Power and energy measurement. References.

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Dr. Haiyin Sun has thirty years experience in optical industry and academy in USA, China and Germany. He holds various management, engineering and research positions in L-3 Communications, Coherent Inc., Oplink Communications, The Telecom Research Center of German Post, Chinese Academy of Science, etc, and is responsible for designing, developing and testing the optics for numerous optical devices, systems and equipments. He was an editorial board member of Journal of Optical Communications (Germany), an adjunct assistant professor of applied science at The University of Arkansas, and served in several program committees in SPIE conferences. Dr. Sun is the primary author of about thirty peer review journal papers, one book and one book chapter on optical and laser technologies. One of his works was the subject of a news report published in Photonics Spectra, another work of his was cited by Melles Griot Catalog.

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