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Introduction

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Laser Theory

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Abstract

Coherent electromagnetic waves can be generated in the radio frequency range both by classical sources (moving charges) and by the maser* principle, but their generation in the optical range is only possible by the laser** principle. The laser represents an extension (proposed by Schawlow and Townes 1 in 1958) of the microwave maser. The latter device had been proposed by Basov, Prokhorov 2, Townes 3 and Weber 4. In the present article*** we mainly treat the laser, although the theoretical results can be readily applied to the maser, and many of the results can be exemplified with it.

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Notes

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57/IV, D-7000, Stuttgart 80, Fed. Rep. of Germany

    Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Hermann Haken

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  1. Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Hermann Haken
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© 1984 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Haken, H. (1984). Introduction. In: Laser Theory. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45556-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45556-8_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-12188-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-45556-8

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