Introduction to Lasers
Explore real-world applications of lasers to understand their technology and gain practical knowledge of how lasers work.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
1 hour100% online
How it works
Introduction to Lasers
Gain an understanding of laser systems
From hospitals to bar code scanners, almost all of us interact with lasers in some way.
On this four-week course, you’ll delve into laser systems to understand how they work.
Exploring real-world examples, you’ll gain practical knowledge of laser applications in industry, energy technology, medical fields, and daily life.
Understand the process behind optimising laser performance
You’ll gain a solid introduction to lasers, discovering core concepts such as quantum transitions in atoms, stimulated emission and amplification, and optical beams.
Next, you’ll understand how the designing of advanced materials can help optimise laser performance.
Learn how to prepare a laser system
As you explore the principles of lasers, you’ll learn how to prepare a system to obtain gain.
To further your knowledge, you’ll then learn advanced concepts such as how EM waves propagate in space, laser output spectrum, and the Gaussian beam.
Delve into laser applications
You’ll conclude by looking at the many applications of lasers across various industries.
Through this practical exploration, you’ll understand how we interact with lasers and how this could develop in future.
Collaborating with experts from both Taipei Medical University and National Taipei University of Technology you’ll finish the course with a solid understanding of laser technology.
Syllabus
Week 1
Physics of light
Physics of LIGHT
Light is made of billions of small packets of energy that we call photons. These photons have no mass, but each photon has a specific amount of energy that depends on its frequency (number of vibrations per second).
Week 2
Principle of lasers
Light and Matter
Matter can emit, absorb, transmit, and reflect (or scatter) light. In a laser system, all of these interactions are involved.
Three main elements in a laser
In a laser system, the pump source energizes the gain medium, which amplifies light through stimulated emission. The resonator maintains optical feedback, enabling coherent laser output.
Week 3
Laser performance
Laser output power
Laser output power can be determined through the inside cavity intensity. Laser power and slope efficiency significantly impact laser applications across industries.
Week 4
Laser applications
Laser applications in daily life
Laser applications are ubiquitous, from high-speed internet and medical surgeries to barcode scanning and entertainment through laser shows. Their precision revolutionizes industries, enhancing convenience.
Assessment time
This is the end of the course. If you wish to obtain a certificate, you can take the test. You are also welcome to leave your feedback on how you would like to apply what you have learnt in this course.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Understand operating principles of a laser system.
- Learn about three main elements of a laser.
- Calculate laser gain and output power.
- Analyze laser efficiency and pumping threshold.
- Explore laser applications.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone interested in laser light sources and their applications across different industries.
Who will you learn with?
National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) is the first university of science and technology in Taiwan that aims at industrial education and is famous for its engineering department.
Who developed the course?
Taipei Medical University
Taipei Medical University (TMU) has been a leader in Taiwan’s healthcare system for over half a century due to its research, teaching excellence, internationalization and outstanding medical service.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $134/one-off payment | $244.99 for one year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 20 Oct 2023 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$134/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 20 Oct 2023
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 31 October 2023 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 31 October 2023 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Science, Engineering & Maths
