Editori Vari

There is hardly any book that aims at solving problems typically encountered in the laser field, and this book intends to fill the void. Following some initial exercises related to general aspects in laser physics (Chapt. 1), the subsequent problems are organized along the following topics: (i) Interaction of radiation with matter either made of atoms or ions, weakly interacting with surrounding species, or made of more complicated elements such as molecules or semiconductors (Chapters 2 and 3). (ii) Wave propagation in optical media and optical resonators (Chapters 4 and 5). (iii) Optical and electrical pumping processes and systems (Chapter 6): (iv) Continuous wave and transient laser behaviors (Chapters 7 and 8). (v) Solid-state, dye, semiconductor, gas and X-ray lasers (Chapters 9 and 10). (vi) Proper­ ties of the output beam and beam transformation by amplification, frequency conversion and pulse compression or expansion (Chapters 11 and 12). Problems are proposed here and solved following the contents of Orazio Svelto's Principles of Lasers (fourth edition; Plenum Press, New York, 1998). Whenever needed, equations and figures of the book mentioned above are currently used with an appropriate reference [e. g. , Eq. (1. Ll) of the book is referred to as Eq. (Ll. 1) of PL]. One can observe, however, that the types of problems proposed and discussed are of general validity and many of these problems have actually been suggested by our own long-time experience in performing theoretical and experimental researches in the field.

Suggestiva e amabilmente bizzarra, irrazionale e un po' accademica, tutto sommato facile e tradizionale: così è apparsa il più

This book, based on a first-year graduate course the author taught at the University of Wisconsin, contains more than enough material for a two-semester graduate-level abstract algebra course, including groups, rings and modules, fields and Galois theory, an introduction to algebraic number theory, and the rudiments of algebraic geometry. In addition, there are some more specialized topics not usually covered in such a course. These include transfer and character theory of finite groups, modules over artinian rings, modules over Dedekind domains, and transcendental field extensions. This book could be used for self study as well as for a course text, and so full details of almost all proofs are included, with nothing being relegated to the chapter-end problems. There are, however, hundreds of problems, many being far from trivial. The book attempts to capture some of the informality of the classroom, as well as the excitement the author felt when taking the corresponding course as a student.