Laser Course Relates Many Fields
Alan J. Witten

Physics 445, SSU’s new lasers, fiber optics, and detectors (LFOD) class, is a three-unit lecture course that may be accompanied or followed by either or both of two one-unit lab courses. Professor Saeid Rahimi enthusiastically proclaims, “this is such an important subject, we really needed to expand it.”

The course presents theory from an applied viewpoint. It takes key elements from various disciplines of physics and brings them together in an interesting and extremely informative format. Students see how Maxwell’s equations from electricity & magnetism, the Schrödinger equation from quantum physics, semiconductor theory, and electronics are all brought together and applied to the field of lasers. LFOD gives the student an understanding of how theories derived from these different disciplines find every day applications.

Following the initial introduction of atomic energy levels, LFOD covers light and its amplification, stimulated emission, and radiation in the form of the LASER beam. Students study Einstein's coefficients along with Boltzmann’s distribution. LFOD also brings together and applies topics from the light and optics course.

Once this foundation is built, the various types of lasers are discussed. The characteristic differences and applications are explored for gas, solid state, semiconductor, liquid, and free electron lasers.

Other topics covered include the various types of fiber optics, fiber optic components, and fiber optic sensors. Fiber optics is of major importance in communications and related fields. Just how important is demonstrated by the abundance of employment opportunities in these fields within Sonoma County and nearby. The local telecommunications industry has grown substantially over the last few years and continued dynamic growth in this area is expected.

One of the goals of this course is to better prepare SSU graduates for careers in high-tech industries. Employers are currently looking for qualified graduates. To successfully achieve results often requires combining knowledge gained from many disciplines. Applied courses, such LFOD and its two labs, help to develop critical thinking skills.

In this regard, Dr. Rahimi describes his course as a “highly scientific” one “which integrates the knowledge of mathematics, modern physics (quantum mechanics), electricity & magnetism” and other related subjects. “Applied physics courses are not merely technology and buzz words, there is a goal in mind, and you are looking to achieve that goal using scientific methods and instrumentation.”

The course includes a substantial amount of theory which provides the building blocks and background required to understand and interpret the applications of lasers and fiber optics. The theory is applied in the laboratory where students can see, touch, investigate and experience these applications.

The laser laboratory course, Physics 447, was presented in Spring 1998, while the fiber optics and detectors lab, Physics 449, is scheduled for Fall 1998. With two lab courses now, students can spend more time on each experiment. They can take their time to understand the experiment, its implications, and the real world applications.

In his friendly manner, Dr. Rahimi describes the laser lab environment, as “like a mini research lab, giving students time to explore.” This spring the laser lab included experiments using the helium-neon laser, diode lasers, and the more powerful argon ion laser. Alignment of the helium-neon laser was followed by acousto-optic modulation, iodine laser spectroscopy, several experiments with diode lasers, the Fabry-Perot spectrometer, and split beam holography.

I was a student in LFOD the first time it was offered in Spring 1998. I also took the laser lab course. I highly recommend these courses to all upper division physics students, as well as to those already working locally who could use the additional knowledge and skills. Lasers, fiber optics, and detectors, the new applied physics course at SSU, is what employers are looking for.

Al Witten earned a BSEE at CSULA in 1967, worked in the defense industry, and, with his wife, ran his own business for 22 years. He entered SSU this year to pursue a second B.S. in physics