Offering a fresh take on laser engineering‎,‎ Laser Modeling‎:‎ A Numerical Approach with Algebra and Calculus presents algebraic models and traditional calculus‎-based methods in tandem to make concepts easier to digest and apply in the real world‎.‎ Each technique is introduced alongside a practical‎,‎ solved example based on a commercial laser‎.‎ Assuming some knowledge of the nature of light‎,‎ emission of radiation‎,‎ and basic atomic physics‎,‎ the text‎:‎ * Explains how to formulate an accurate gain threshold equation as well as determine small‎-signal gain * Discusses gain saturation and introduces a novel pass‎-by‎-pass model for rapid implementation of "what if‎?‎" scenarios * Outlines the calculus‎-based Rigrod approach in a simplified manner to aid in comprehension * Considers thermal effects on solid‎-state lasers and other lasers with new and efficient quasi‎-three‎-level materials * Demonstrates how the convolution method is used to predict the effect of temperature drift on a DPSS system * Describes the technique and technology of Q‎-switching and provides a simple model for predicting output power * Addresses non‎-linear optics and supplies a simple model for calculating optimal crystal length * Examines common laser systems‎,‎ answering basic design questions and summarizing parameters * Includes downloadable Microsoft‎(‎R‎)‎ Excel‎(‎TM‎)‎ spreadsheets‎,‎ allowing models to be customized for specific lasers Don‎'‎t let the mathematical rigor of solutions get in the way of understanding the concepts‎.‎ Laser Modeling‎:‎ A Numerical Approach with Algebra and Calculus covers laser theory in an accessible way that can be applied immediately‎,‎ and numerically‎,‎ to real laser systems‎.‎