Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

The rate-equation model for the laser -- The interaction of a system of two-level atoms with the electromagnetic field -- The Maxwell-Bloch equations -- Inclusion of the irreversible processes in the atomic equations -- Propagation in irreversible Maxwell-Bloch equations -- Optical nonlinearities. Materials with quadratic nonlinearities -- Optical nonlinearities. Materials with cubic nonlinearities -- Optical resonators. The planar ring cavity. Empty cavity. Linear cavity -- A nonlinear active ring cavity: the ring laser, stationary states -- The adiabatic elimination principle -- A nonlinear passive ring cavity: optical bistability -- Model equations for the ring cavity. The single-mode model -- Single- and two-mode models -- Nonlinear dynamics in Fabry-Perot cavities -- Inhomogeneous broadening -- The semiconductor laser -- Lasers without inversion and the effects of atomic coherence -- Some general aspects in nonlinear dissipative dynamical systems -- Special limits in the single-mode model -- The linear-stability analysis of the Maxwell-Bloch equations -- Adiabatic elimination in the complete Maxwell-Bloch equations -- Dynamical aspects in the laser -- Single-mode and multimode operation in inhomogeneously broadened lasers -- Dynamical aspects in optical bistability -- Self-pulsing in other optical systems -- Gaussian beams and modes of cavities with spherical mirrors -- General features about optical pattern formation in planar cavities -- The Lugiato-Lefever model -- Spatial patterns in cavities with spherical mirrors -- Cavity solitons -- Appendixes: A. The Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion -- B. Calculation of the oscillatory instability boundary -- C. Coefficients of the characteristic equation (20.20) -- D. Derivation of equations (20.27) and (20.28) -- E. Coefficients of equations (20.60) and (20.61) -- F. The exact boundary of the Risken-Nummedal-Graham-Haken instability -- G. Nonlinear analysis of the roll solution.

Guiding graduate students and researchers through the complex world of laser physics and nonlinear optics, this book provides an in-depth exploration of the dynamics of lasers and other relevant optical systems, under the umbrella of a unitary spatio-temporal vision. Adopting a balanced approach, the book covers traditional as well as special topics in laser physics, quantum electronics and nonlinear optics, treating them from the viewpoint of nonlinear dynamical systems. These include laser emission, frequency generation, solitons, optically bistable systems, pulsations and chaos and optical pattern formation. It also provides a coherent and up-to-date treatment of the hierarchy of nonlinear optical models and of the rich variety of phenomena they describe, helping readers to understand the limits of validity of each model and the connections among the phenomena. It is ideal for graduate students and researchers in nonlinear optics, quantum electronics, laser physics and photonics.