Coherence, Amplification, and Quantum Effects in Semiconductor Lasers

This is the first book to review in systematic fashion the coherence, amplification and quantum effects in semiconductor lasers. There are three major sections in the text. The first deals with the application of semiconductor lasers for coherent communication and spectroscopy, outlining the fundamental spectral and modulation characteristics of semiconductor lasers. Semiconductor laser amplifiers, particularly the Fabry-Perot cavity amplifier, traveling wave amplifiers and the injection-locked oscillator, are covered in the second section which serves to point out the advantages and problems of optical amplifier technology. The third section discusses the quantum effects in semiconductor lasers, describing squeezed-state generation and inhibition of spontaneous emission as well as general quantum noise properties. This section also examines new research directions in quantum optics and the potential for a noiseless and thresholdless semiconductor laser.