Optical Pulse Propagation in Dispersive Media

This lecture covers the propagation of an optical pulse in a transparent linear dispersive medium, discussing concepts such as form factor, group speed dispersion, and phase velocity. It explains the temporal widening and frequency chirp effects, as well as the representation of a Gaussian pulse. The lecture delves into the dispersion of group velocity, the generation of new frequencies in nonlinear dispersive media, and the effects of phase self-modulation. Additionally, it explores the principles of laser operation, including stimulated transitions, population inversion, and laser amplification. The lecture concludes with a discussion on the characteristics of short optical pulses and the behavior of axial modes in laser cavities.