Recap on EM theory and EM waves
Lasers and their electromagnetic interactions, including a recap on Maxwell's equations and the wave equation. We will also discuss the analytical signal, plane waves, wave parameters, and the Poynting vector, as well as energy and intensity.

Basic concepts underpinning the laser idea
We will delve into the concepts of absorption, spontaneous and stimulated emission, and provide a review of the black body problem and Einstein Coefficients. We will explore the laser concept, including population inversion and active materials, and cover level occupation and Boltzmann statistics. Additionally, we will discuss the oscillator, focusing on the gain medium in a cavity, logarithmic losses, gain, and threshold.

Properties of laser beams
We will explore the properties of lasers, including monochromaticity, coherence, directionality, brightness, and short pulse duration.

Light matter interaction
We will cover spontaneous emission, including calculating the rates, as well as absorption and stimulated emission rates. The course will address transition cross sections, inhomogeneous broadening, nonradiative decays, and saturation effects, particularly in the pulsed case. Additionally, we will discuss non-degenerate and strongly coupled levels, as well as optically dense media.

Energy levels and transitions
We will begin by exploring molecules, focusing on their energy levels, the shapes of these energy levels, and their occupation. We will then cover stimulated transitions, including vibronic transitions, roto-vibronic transitions, rotational levels and transitions, and excimers. The topic of non-radiative decays will also be discussed.
Next, we will delve into bulk semiconductors, examining the band structure, the density of states within these bands, and the concept of Fermi energy. We will look at excited semiconductors and explore stimulated transitions, specifically absorption and gain. Finally, we will cover spontaneous emission and non-radiative processes in semiconductors.

Ray Optics and Basic Optical Elements of Wave Optics
We will begin with an introduction to ray optics, which will lay the foundation for understanding basic optical principles. Following this, we will transition to wave optics within the paraxial approximation, where we will explore the matrix formulation of geometrical optics, delve into reflection and transmission at interfaces, and examine multilayer optical elements. We will also cover the Fabry-Perot Interferometer, discussing both its theoretical aspects and its practical application as a spectrometer.
Next, we will investigate diffraction, beginning with Kirchhoff's integral theorem and the Fresnel-Kirchhoff formula, and then moving on to the slowly varying envelope approximation. We will also explore the application of the Fresnel-Kirchhoff formula within the ABCD formalism.
Our exploration will conclude with an in-depth look at Gaussian beams, where we will cover the complex beam parameter and beam propagation, as well as the ABCD law for Gaussian beams and the higher order modes of these beams.

Optical Resonators
We will begin with a recap on the number of modes in a rectangular cavity, which will provide a basis for understanding optical resonator geometries. Following this, we will compare the number of modes between an open and a closed resonator, leading to the definition of the eigenmodes and eigenvalues of an optical resonator. We will then discuss the photon lifetime and quality factor, crucial parameters in the study of resonators.
Next, we will explore the stability condition of optical resonators, followed by an examination of stable resonators with infinite aperture, including their eigenmodes, eigenvalues, and the number of modes. Finally, we will cover spatial mode selection, rounding out our comprehensive study of optical resonators.

Gain media pumping processes
We will start by discussing various pumping approaches with