Laser Physics

Education facts

Code: 5FY175

The aim of the course is to describe the principles of lasers and laser action. The course covers interactions of atoms and molecules with light (absorption, emission and dispersion) and includes concepts such as Doppler, collision, and natural lifetime broadening, optical saturation, population inversion, and optical pumping. The principles of laser resonators and laser action (gain, threshold, power, frequency) are discussed, and the properties of Gaussian beam propagation are introduced. The course will treat some common types of laser in more detail, including continuous-wave (cw) and pulsed, gas, dye and solid state lasers.

Entry requirements

90 credits including Quantum Mechanics 1, or equivalent. Proficiency in English and Swedish equivalent to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies. Requirements for Swedish only apply if the course is held in Swedish.

Education offerings

Each offering has its own dates and conditions. Closed offerings are retained as history and do not mean that a new application is open.

• Laser Physics

  Umeå University

  Start date: 31 August 2026

  End date: 1 November 2026

  Pace of study: 50 %