Book Description

This is the first comprehensive text on the history of color theories since Halbertsma's book of 1947. Color is discussed in close connection with the evolution of ideas of light and vision. The book has chapters on the ancient Greek ideas of vision and color; on the contributions of Arabic science; on the Scientific Revolution from Kepler to Newton; on the early history of the three-color hypothesis; on the trichromatic theory and defective color vision; and on Goethe's, Schopenhauer's and Hering's theories. New understanding of the structure and functions of the retina and the brain finally results in the modern science of color vision.A History of Color has been written for ophthalmologists, optometrists and others who are interested in visual science and its history. The book requires no specialized knowledge. ... Read more

Book Description

Some of the most interesting phenomena in optics are those where the quantum mechanical nature of light is apparent. In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion of experimental optics into this area. This book is intended as a guide through the many experiments that have been published.
Although there have been many excellent books written on quantum optics, they have been written from a theoretical point of view. This new book differs in that it focuses on actual experiments and what can be learned from them. It explains the underlying physics and addresses questions such as the limitations of the equipment, what can be measured and what remains a goal for the future.
To bridge the gap between theory and experiment, the book employs a succession of steps. First, the classical properties of light are summarised and then models for the quantum properties of light are introduced. Next, the basic components of the experiments are introduced and their specific properties that have an influence on quantum optics experiments are discussed. A chapter on basic experiments forms the building blocks of all quantum optics experiments.
The last part of the book deals with currently reported experiments in non-classical light and squeezing and with quantum non-demolition experiments and finishes off with a chapter on applications in communications, cryptography and gravity wave detectors.
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Book Description

Assuming little prior knowledge of physics and minimal mathematics, this book presents a complete introductory course on classical optics, as well as many of the latest advances.Presents a history of the evolution of the theory of optics, from Newton's corpuscular theory and Huygens' wave theory, to the critical contributions of Young, Fresnel, Maxwell, and finally Planck and Einstein. Introduces fundamental concepts of optics, including the electromagnetic spectrum, reflection, and refraction at both plane and curved surfaces. Explains wave motion, interference, and diffraction. Shows how the concepts of optics can be used in technologies such as lasers and optical fiber.Both physics degree students and interdisciplinary students. ... Read more

Book Description

An electroluminescent (EL) material is one which emits EM radiation in the visible or near visible range when an electric field is applied to it. EL materials have a vast array of applications in the illumination and displays industries, from cheap and energy efficient lighting to large high resolution flat panel displays.

This edited volume begins with a chapter outlining the basic physical principles of electroluminescence. The chapters that follow review in detail the preparation methods, physico-chemical structures, characterisation and applications of all classes of EL materials, ranging from the traditional materials already in common usage through to the more exotic materials such as GaN and organics. A final chapter will compare and contrast these different materials in various application contexts. ... Read more

Book Description

Until recently, there was no effective method for describing waves in weakly anisotropic inhomogeneous media. The method of quasi-isotropic approximation (QIA) of geometrical optics was developed to overcome this problem. The QIA approach bridges the gap between geometrical optics of isotropic media (Rytov method) and that of anisotropic media (Courant-Lax approach), thus providing a complete picture of the geometrical optics of inhomogeneous media.
This book explores recent developments in QIA and describes the application of the theory to different branches of wave physics, from plasma physics, quantum physics, and ionospheric radio wave propagation to acoustics, optics, and astrophysics.
This is an up-to-the-minute exposition of the latest developments in an important new area, written by authors of outstanding reputation. A rich source of both theoretical methods and practical applications, it covers a wide range of problems of general physical significance. ... Read more

Book Description

We humans cannot see when light is polarised and this leads to unfortunate misapprehensions about this aspect of nature. Even scientists who should know better often assume that it is an obscure topic of specialised interest in only a few rather isolated areas. In fact, it is a universal feature of our world and most natural light is at least partially polarised. In the Animal Kingdom, insects and other animals exploit such natural polarisation in some fascinating ways, since they do not share this human deficiency and can both detect and analyze polarisation. It may be our unfamiliarity with this aspect of light that also makes many people think it is a "difficult" subject, yet the basis is extremely simple.

When these misconceptions are overcome, the phenomena associated with polarisation are found to be important throughout science and technology - in physics, astronomy, natural history, geology, chemistry and several branches of engineering, as well as crafts such as glass-blowing and jewellery. They also involve some very beautiful effects, most of which are easy to demonstrate. Our general unawareness of what we are missing is indeed a great pity. This book hopes to put all this right and enrich its readers' perception of their world. ... Read more

Book Description

This book explains the nature of Light and proves the existence of God by methods and standards acceptable to science and religion alike. It lays a spiritual foundation under the material one of science; one upon which the current New Age movement is built. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Exceptional Blend of Science & Metaphysics
Walter Russell accessed an extensive amount of knowledge and insights during his mystical awakening. He wrote extensively about his understandings and related scientific, philosophical, and metaphysical subjects. In this book, he talks about the nature of creation, light, life, polarity, balance, electricity, gravity, radiation, waves & vibration, and the imagination and thought projections of the Creator. These are truly some weighty topics, but Walter's text is clear and informative, even when he gets into technical topics. This book is quite enlightening and actually better than some more popular metaphysical texts. The electric universe concept is truly brilliant, and Walter Russell's understanding of creation greatly exceeded most of what scientists erroneously believe, based upon their perceptions colored by persistent illusion. The "new" physics is just catching up with Russsell's ideas.

SUPERB!
An excellent and illuminating read authored by a genuine genius who was lightyears ahead of his time! Look into his UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY by searching his name on the web

brilliant author, but over my head in the science area
... I am very right brained and find this book too challenging
to keep...(I flunked statistics 3 times, and barely survived
algebra). Its simply over my head. I sent it to my brother
who was a self-taught physicist and he found it quite interesting.
Being honest here. For the right person, its a very unique
book...not the usual recycled scientific information, I am told.
Walter Russell I feel "channeled" this information from the next
dimension and those who have open minds and willingness to see
things from new points of view would probably like this book.
He has a lot of diagrams. For example No. 38 shows the "four
rivers of light". Some chapter titles include: Knowledge vs.
Thinking, "Unconsciousness-Sleep and Pain", "Electrical Awareness", "Sex-Conditioned Opposites", "Light", "The Law of
Balance", "Electricity Defined"....you get the drift!

Very very intesting combine with Deepak Chopra
Russell was looking for the single cause for everything and in this book he expalins what he found. You may also want to read "The Man Who Tapped into the Secrets of the Universe" which is about Walter Russell. He applies his findings to explain chemical elements, light, gravity, etc... ... Read more

Book Description

See the light--with experiments that show how it casts shadows, bends, refracts, and lots more. With an outdoor lamp, shine a light on scary Halloween cutouts. Put wax paper over a flashlight to see how it affects the beam's strength. It's a magical trick of the light that makes paper butterflies seem to float. Want to have a conversation with someone who's not right next to you? Of course, you can use a phone--but why not be inventive and use the sun to create a form of Morse code? Just catch the rays with a mirror and alternate long and short bursts of light by covering the glass with your hand. Plus: make shadow puppets, silhouettes, a mirrored kaleidoscope, a periscope, and more.



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Book Description

This comprehensive introduction to polarized light provides students and researchers with the background and the specialized knowledge needed to fully utilize polarized light. It provides a basic introduction to the interaction of light with matter for those unfamiliar with photochemistry and photophysics. An in-depth discussion of polarizing optics is also given. Different analytical techniques are introduced and compared and introductions to the use of polarized light in various forms of spectroscopy are provided.

Key Features
* Starts at a basic level and develops tools for research problems
* Discusses practical devices for controlling polarized light
* Compares the Jones, Mueller, and Poincare sphere methods of analysis ... Read more

Reviews (1)

An excellent reference on polarized light
This is one of the best books I've found on the general subject of polarized light. I bought it because I wanted a ready desk reference that would put all I needed to know about the Jones and Muller calculus, along with the Poincare sphere, in one source. I also wanted a book that lists the Jones and Muller matrices for all sorts of idealized and real-world optical components. This book has it all, and more.

Chapter one is a quick review of the nature of light, with interesting historical information and a quick blurb on spectroscopy and an interesting table showing the types of atomic/nuclear transitions and the emission wavelength associated with each. This chapter is really just an extension of the preface.

Chapter two introduces the basic concepts of polarization in an electro-magnetic wave, including the equation of the electric field for elliptically polarized light, with extra emphasis on the two extremes (linear and circular polarization). Chapter two includes some useful pictorial examples of polarized light. The authors have been careful to define their terms well. They also have a rather lengthy footnote in chapter two that establishes their conventions for describing circularly polarized light. Also helpful is their inclusion of a list at the end of each chapter containing the mathematical symbols used in the chapter and their meanings.

Chapter three introduces common devices used to control polarized light, including linear polarizers made of dichroic as well as birefringent materials, and those constructed by such techniques as stacks of tilted glass plates. The chapter also introduces the concept of phase plates used to construct retarders, and gives useful physical information for materials commonly used in their construction. Artifacts due to retarders and polarizers are also discussed, along with a rather superficial discussion about depolarizers. The end of the chapter has a neat discussion about Haidinger's brushes and how you can use them to "cure" polarization blindness.

Chapter 4 is among the book's most useful. This chapter introduces the Jones Calculus, Mueller Calculus, and the Poincare sphere. This is the chapter in the book that I find myself returning to most often, along with appendix A (Jones and Stokes vectors of various forms of polarized light), and appendix B (Jones and Mueller matrices for various polarizing or polarization-sensitive optical components). Chapter 4 and appendixes A and B alone are sufficient justification for purchasing the book. The appendices, for example, are quite complete, listing matrices for everything from the general elliptical polarizer to the general elliptical retarder (there are 19 entries for Jones matrices alone).

The authors develop the Jones and Muller calculus in a manner that's easy to follow yet both rigorous and insightful. The book makes no apologies about the use of mathematics, and uses equations and derivations liberally. The level of mathematics is easy, however, being nothing more than linear algebra for the most part. There are also useful examples of how to use the Jones and Muller matrix methods to solve simple problems. The chapter introduces the Jones calculus first, then the Muller calculus, and finishes off with a good discussion and explanation of the Poincare sphere.

Chapter 5 covers the Jones and Muller calculus again, this time with more mathematical involvement and in greater detail. Chapter 5 also describes the Poincare sphere in more detail as well. Chapter 4 aims more at the initial introduction and relatively simple practical applications, while chapter 5 deals with such subjects as the analytical relationship between the coordinates of the Poincare sphere, the Stokes parameters, and the electric vector describing the light.

The first 5 chapters constitute the book's coverage of the general principles of polarization. The rest of the book deals with applied issues relating to polarization. For example, chapter 6 deals with the physics of spectroscopy and polarized light, chapter 7 deals with orientation and photoselection effects, and chapter 8 (the last chapter) covers polarized light in condensed phases.

I bought the book because I wanted a complete and authoritative reference for the general principles of polarization. I was especially looking for a text that succinctly yet accurately and completely introduced the mathematical concepts of the Jones and Muller calculus, and that provided a clear description of the Poincare sphere. Furthermore, I wanted a reference book that listed the transfer matrices (both in the Jones and Muller calculus) for a wide assortment of idealized and real-world optical components that interact with polarized light. The book has been everything I was looking for and is the best I've found on the subject.

If you work with or have an interest in polarized light and it's quantitative analysis, I highly recommend this book. ... Read more