Homework #1 (due on 1/31/2018) S.R.

Bank

1. (5 points) There are various ways that laser engineers specify the frequency and photon
energy of a laser: some use the energy in eV; some specify the wavelength expressed in
angstrom units (10-10 m), nanometers (10-9m), or micrometers (10-6m); some use the wave
number u , which is defined as the number of wavelengths that will fit inside a centimeter of
vacuum; and some specify cycles (Hz). The specification of photons from common coherent
sources is given below. Convert that specification to the other units.
Source eV Wavelength (Å) Wavelength (nm) u (Hz) u (cm-1)
GaAs 1.47
Ar+ 5145
He:Ne 632.8
CO2 943
ISM 13.56x106
band
KrF 249

2. (5 points) Quartz windows oriented at Brewster’s angle are commonly used for He:Ne lasers
in the manner indicated below. What is the angle measured from the axis of the cavity? Also,
what is special about Brewster’s angle? (Hint: h[quartz ] = 1.43 )

3. (10 points) Derive the ray matrix for the following plane dielectric interface:

EE 348. Lasers and Optical Engineering (Spring 2016) 1

Homework #1 (due on 1/31/2018) S.R. Bank

4. (10 points) Derive the ray matrix for the following plane dielectric slab of thickness d.

5. (10 points) A ray initially parallel to the optical axis propagates in air through a series of
optical elements as shown below. What is the distance “d” at which the ray crosses the
optical axis? (Note: The index of refraction of air is 1.0.)

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Homework #1 (due on 1/31/2018) S.R. Bank

6. (10 points) Consider the ring laser cavity shown in the accompanying diagram.
(a) Show an equivalent-lens waveguide for this cavity and identify a unit cell starting
just after the lens that then proceeds counterclockwise around the triangle.
(b) What is the transmission matrix for this unit cell? (Demonstrate that you have the
component matrices in proper order.)
(c) What are the values of d/f that make this cavity stable?

7. (10 points) Consider the cavity shown in the accompanying diagram (Figure 1).
(a) Construct an equivalent lens waveguide.
(b) Indicate a unit cell starting at a flat mirror, R1.
(c) Find the ray matrix for the unit cell that was found in (b).
(d) Discuss the stability of this cavity by constructing a diagram similar to Figure 2 (see
next page).

Figure 1

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Homework #1 (due on 1/31/2018) S.R. Bank

Figure 2.
8. (10 points) Examine the stability of the cavity shown in the diagram below by following
these steps:
(a) Draw an equivalent lens waveguide.
(b) Identify a unit cell that starts on the right side of M1.
(c) Find the transmission matrix for the unit cell.
(d) Apply the stability criterion. Is it stable?

EE 348. Lasers and Optical Engineering (Spring 2016) 4