5. Glossary

cavité; cavity

A set of mirrors to reflect photons back into the amplifying medium to produce cascade amplification. Mirrors can be localized or distributed, as in the case of Bragg gratings.

laser; laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)

Device combining an amplifying medium (or gain medium) and a cavity to produce spatially and temporally coherent radiation.

amplifying medium or gain medium; gain medium

Seat of light amplification through stimulated emission. It can take different forms (gas, liquid or solid bulb).

mode; fashion

Refers to a solution of the electromagnetic field to the propagation equation and boundary conditions imposed by the cavity. Spatial modes correspond to the transverse...