| LEC # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Ultrafast Optics | |
| 2 | Maxwell-Bloch Equation | Problem set 1 out |
| 3 | Two-Level Atoms and Rabi Flopping | |
| 4 | Dispersion, Absorption, Gain | |
| 5 | Nonlinear Pulse Propagation | Problem set 1 due Problem set 2 out |
| 6 | Pulse Compression | |
| 7 | Self-Phase Modulation (SPM) and Solitons | Problem set 2 due Problem set 3 out |
| 8 | Soliton Perturbation Theory | |
| 9 | Rate Equations and Relaxation Oscillation | Problem set 3 due Problem set 4 out |
| 10 | Q-Switching | |
| 11 | Master Equation and Active Mode-Locking | Problem set 4 due Problem set 5 out |
| 12 | Passive Mode-Locking with Fast Saturable Absorbers | |
| 13 | Passive Mode-Locking with Slow Saturable Absorbers | Problem set 5 due Problem set 6 out |
| 14 | Artificial Saturable Absorber Mode-Locking (APM and KLM) | |
| 15 | Kerr-Lens Mode-Locking (KLM) | Problem set 6 due Problem set 7 out |
| 16 | Semiconductor Saturable Absorber Mode-Locking | |
| 17 | Pulse Characterization I - Autocorrelation | Term paper proposal due Problem set 7 due Problem set 8 out |
| 18 | Pulse Characterization II - FROG and SPIDER | |
| 19 | Noise in Mode-Locked Lasers | Problem set 8 due Problem set 9 out |
| 20 | Frequency Metrology | |
| 21 | Ultrafast Measurement Techniques | Problem set 9 due Problem set 10 out |
| 22 | Pulse Amplification | |
| 23 | Optical Parametric Amplification (OPA) and Optical Parametric Oscillation (OPO) | Problem set 10 due |
| 24 | Broadband Parametric Amplification | |
| 25 | High-Harmonic Generation and Seeded Free-Electron Lasers | |
| 26 | Ultrafast Optics Group Lab Tour | Term paper due |