Development of a High Power Laser Laboratory for the Technology Program at CUNY - Queensboro Community College

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Queensborough Community College is upgrading the laboratory modern optics component of its technology courses by introducing current instrumentation for the study of the lasers. Through laboratory experiments students gain an understanding of the principles and measurement techniques involved in the study and use of high power lasers. The centerpiece of the laboratory is a mode-locked Nd-YAG laser. With the additional of a Q-switch and second harmonic generator, a number of experiments cover the principles of thermal lensing, acousto-optic modulation and mode-locking, Q- switching and non-linear optics (second harmonic generation). Along with aligning the lasers and beam profile measurements, these experiments provide a practical application of many of the principles discussed in optics courses. By using sampling Oscilloscopes and fast photodetectors, students not only observe phenomena normally outside the range of observation but also gain experience with valuable research tools. The experience provides students who are uniquely equipped to either become laser technicians or continue in a four year degree program.