Principles of Lasers

This new Fourth Edition of Principles of Lasers is so thoroughly updated and expanded that it is virtually a whole new book. But 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.

Praise for earlier editions:

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)

-KC, NRL


A clear way to get into the field of laser physics.   August 7, 2002
Patrick Van Esch (Grenoble, France)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Clearly written, without oversimplifying some of the
more subtle items (which are so often swept under the
carpet in simpler treatments of the field - such as
the QFT treatment of spontaneous emission). First a
clear and detailled discussion of all the aspects
of the working principles of a laser is presented,
and then specific lasertypes are described, all this
in a very readable style. Great book.


Review from Optics & Laser Technology   August 5, 2002
Jasmine Benzvi (New York, NY)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

"...the student that is led into the laser field by this text is lucky. The text is excellent and filled with appropriate illustrations...Overall, this work will also be useful as a reference for the topics covered. The literature references are copious and appropriate. The text is well supplied with figures and graphs and for those areas considered in detail, the book is and will remain a very good reference volume."


Great book (both easy and complete)   September 26, 1999
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This book is extremely clear and even a completely newby can read it. At the same time, nothing is left halfway and the subject is covered with extreme care and depth. Congratualations to the author !