Introducing theLaser PhysicsandLaser Physics Lettershighlights of 2015

Abstract

The International Year of Light 2015 was a landmark for the laser and optics community pointing the way to a bright future for humanity and the environment. It is with great satisfaction that Laser Physics and Laser Physics Letters have published many notable articles that have contributed to the development of light-based technologies and breakthroughs in photonics. In recognition of their high quality, we present a selection of some of the most popular articles published by Laser Physics and Laser Physics Letters throughout 2015, all of which are believed to have the potential to make a high impact on future research directions. Those chosen are recognised for their high-interest with readers and importance in the field, providing a snapshot of the broad subject coverage and international make-up of both journals.Starting this year, we will be recognising and announcing annual highlights of a previous year for both journals. We hope that you find these highlights useful and look forward to publishing more cutting-edge work in the year ahead.Summary of the highlights articles: Physics of lasers• • Experimental investigation of the light shift effect in an optical-magnetic double resonance system-an experimental scheme for studying the light shift effect in an optical magnetic double resonance system by using 4 He atoms is demonstrated [3]. • Enhanced random lasing from a colloidal CdSe quantum dot-Rh6G system-randomlaser action in a system where optical amplification is provided by colloidal CdSe quantum dots triggered by the emission from Rhodamine 6 G is reported [4].• Ultra-short pulse generation in the hybridly mode-locked erbium-doped all-fiber ring laser with a distributed polarizer-ultra-short pulse generation in a dispersion-managed erbium-doped all-fiber ring laser hybridly mode-locked with boron nitride-doped singlewalled carbon nanotubes, in co-action with a nonlinear polarization evolution in the ring cavity with a distributed polarizer, is reported for the first time [5].• Analysis of pump excited state absorption and its impact on laser efficiency-a model to quantify the effect of excited state absorption at the pump wavelength on laser efficiency, threshold and heating is developed [6]. Fibre optics and fibre lasers• 80 fs passively mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser-an Er-doped laser that has an all-fiber design, including the dispersion compensation and external compression stages, forming a robust and compact device, is reported [7].• Bound-state fiber laser mode-locked by a graphene-nanotube saturable absorbermultiple bound states in a linear-cavity fiber laser mode-locked by a mixture of graphene and single-walled carbon nanotubes is experimentally observed [8]. Jarlath McKenna Publisher, Laser Physics and Laser Physics Letters Introducing the Laser Physics and Laser Physics Letters highlights of 2015Laser Physics Letters