Book Description

In this sequel to his book, "The Optics of Rays, Wavefronts, and Caustics," Stavroudis not only covers his own research results, but also includes more recent developments. The book is divided into three parts, starting with basic mathematical concepts that are further applied in the book. Surface geometry is treated with classical mathematics, while the second part covers the k-function, discussing and solving the eikonal equation as well as Maxwell equations in this context. A final part on applications consists of conclusions drawn or developed in the first two parts of the book, discussing such topics as the Cartesian oval, the modern Schiefspiegler, Huygen's principle, and Maxwell's model of Gauss' perfect lens. ... Read more

Book Description

Chapel of Extreme Experience is an engrossing look at flicker potentials — a visual phenomenon which became the basis of scientific studies into how the visual brain works. In the 1960s the Dream Machine was developed to reproduce this phenomenon, emitting pulses of light and projecting patterns that produced kaleidoscopic images and even hallucinations. This book follows the interest in flicker, from its scientific underpinnings to its role in the countercultural art scene. This is a fascinating look at the Dream Machine and its influence on major cultural figures like William S. Burroughs, Aldous Huxley, and Allen Ginsberg who all experienced and wrote about the "flicker effect." Photographs are featured. ... Read more

Book Description

Charles Townes is one of the leading figures in twentieth-century physics, inventor of the maser and the laser, and one of the pioneers in the use of spectroscopic techniques to determine the atomic composition of stars. This book is the memoir of a life devoted to scientific research, and also to the application of this research in the public sphere. A Nobel laureate, Townes was also the first scientist to accept a full-time position advising the Executive Branch, and later was a founder of the Jasons, a very influential group of scientists independently advising the U.S. government on defense matters. He also served on the board of General Motors. The book describes the history of the maser, of which the laser is a special application, and also sheds light on the complex relationship between science and policy from Truman to Reagan. Townes is a revered figure, with a powerful personal magnetism, and his book should attract attention from physicists and engineers as well as anyone interested in the history of modern technology and the development of federal defense policies. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

From a fellow Paladin
This relatively short book is filled with interesting stories, people and events--not all of which are about physics or science. In fact, this is an enjoyable book for even the most determined liberal arts type who normally might avoid reading about physics. In fact, Dr. Townes seems to approach science and life with a "liberal arts" attitude: curious about everything and more than a little adventurous. He challenges readers to look under all the rocks for the excitement and learning to be found there. Read it for enjoyment and edification (a rare combination these days).

Well done!
Townes' wonderful auto-biography gives us great insight into the mind of one of the 20th Centuries most important scientists. He mixes science with his personal story creating a wonderful tale of how he made the LASER work, and how the LASER actually does work. Townes includes a tremendous amount information about the technicalities of being a great scientist. From government panels to patent disputes--he writes about it all! ... Read more

Book Description

Praised as 'one of the best new optics books seen for some time', this book will provide a unique presentation of classical optics from the modern perspective. Written for advanced undergraduate students, the text stands out by its readability and stimulating discussions, close ties to experimental physics, and excellent choice of worked problem sets. ... Read more

Book Description

Mark Silverman has seen light perform many wonders. From the marvel of seeing inside cloudy liquids as a result of his own cutting-edge research to reproducing and examining an unusual diffraction pattern first witnessed by Isaac Newton 300 years ago, he has studied aspects of light that have inspired and puzzled humans for hundreds of years. In this book, he draws on his many experiences as an optical and atomic physicist--and on his consummate skills as a teacher and writer about the mysteries of physics--to present a remarkable tour of the world of light. He explores theoretical, experimental, and historical themes, showing a keen eye for curious and neglected corners of the study of light and a fascination with the human side of scientific discovery.

In the course of the book, he covers such questions as how it is possible to achieve magnifications of a millionfold without a single lens or mirror. He asks what all living things have in common that might one day allow the development of a "life-form scanner" like the one in Star Trek. He considers whether more light can reflect from a surface than strikes it, and explores the origin of the strange hyperpolic diffraction pattern Newton originally produced with sunlight and knives. Silverman also discusses his new and ground-breaking experiments to see into murky substances such as fog or blood--a finding with potential applications as diverse as noninvasive medical testing and remote sensing of the environment. His wide-ranging reflections cover virtually all elements of physical optics, including propagation, reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization, and scattering.

Throughout, Silverman makes extensive reference to both modern research and the original works of giants such as Newton, Fresnel, and Maxwell. In a more personal section about physics and learning, Silverman argues for self-directed learning and discusses the central importance of stimulating scientific curiosity in students. Waves and Grains will encourage a spirit of wonder and inquiry in anyone with scientific interests. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Essays in Optics
Mark P. Silverman's "Waves and Grains", in much the same manner as his treatment of quantum interference in "More Than One Mystery" written a few years earlier, is a series of discrete but interrelated essays on different aspects of optics. The treatment is semi-technical, with analyses of the math supporting the various experiments and their interpretations. Speaking as one with no math background at all and no formal training in physics, I still found this book fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable. Silverman is something of a polymath, with wide-ranging interests, and he succeeds in bringing together concepts from different fields of study in unexpected but very fruitful ways. He surely must be a wonderful classroom teacher; his enthusiasm for his subject matter is contagious, and to say that his use of language in his writing is masterful is an understatement. Formerly a journalist, he is always engaging, and never dry. Throughout, his descriptions are a model of clarity, and the precision of his vocabulary in the simplest nontechnical sentences is awe-inspiring in its elegance. This is not a textbook, but any serious student of physics who doesn't own a copy is missing out on an important book.

I got to the final three chapters of this book ("A Heretical Experiment in Teaching Physics", "Why Brazil Nuts Are on Top: Physics and the Art of Writing", and "What Does It Take...?") long after forming my impressions noted above, having first read Silverman's earlier "More Than One Mystery" with just the same amount of pleasure, and was gratified to find my reactions validated here. These chapters are entirely nontechnical discussions of the importance of an understanding of the physical world we inhabit, and better ways of imparting an enthusiasm for learning to students, which in themselves would make this book worthwhile for anyone sharing these interests.

Much of this same material is presented for a general readership in his 2002 "A Universe of Atoms, An Atom in the Universe", a revision of the now out-of-print "And Yet It Moves: Strange Systems and Subtle Questions in Physics".

Another stop in the course of my Self Directed Education
I like this book a whole lot. It holds some kind of strange attraction for me although it is definitely too advanced and mathematically quantitative for me to completely understand. Yet, I *really* like it... Hmm. Why is that? This book is a friendly and curiously unique presentation of practical & theoretical aspects of light (electromagnetism). Included in the book are discussions of the great ideas and men who helped advance our understanding of light - for example the book gives some discussion on the contributions of Newton, Young, Fresnel, Huygens, & Maxwell. This isn’t just the “History of Science” stuff, it’s written in a captivating style to put our understanding in a cultural context. Throughout the book are justifiably qualitative (fairly quantitative) presentations on the technical aspects of Diffraction & Interference, Polarization, Reflection & Scattering, and a neat chapter titled ‘Playing with waves (subtitled the "Voice of the Dragon"!)’. Finally my favorite and inspiring section, Science & Learning ('Self-Directed Learning'). I hope you give this book a chance like I did because, for me, there is a sea of information out there and I'm keeping afloat by sailing around in a boat which I'm building while I'm traveling the literally wonderful journey of self directed enlightenment. Dr. Silverman has sent out some fascinating building materials for me to pick up and try to incorporate. The book has brought me to the shores of a wonderful land, rich with appreciation for the most prevalent stuff in our Universe - LIGHT! Now I must confess: I am borderline incompetent when it comes to mathematics - so this book (like so many I try to wrap my brain around) escapes my full grasp. But I believe that it doesn't hurt to try stretching my mind beyond it's current capabilities. If anything, it makes me more flexible. My experience with this book has left me provoked to explore electromagnetism much further!!!

IndiAndy Intellectual Adventurer & Explorer ... Read more

Book Description

Using the thin film of light, the optical near field, that is localized on the surface of a nanometric material has removed the diffraction limit as a barrier to imaging on the nano- and atomic scales. But a paradigm shift in the concepts of optics and optical technology is required to understand the instrinsic nature of the near fields and how best to exploit them. Professors Ohstu and Kobayashi crafted Optical Near Fields on the basis of their hypothesis that the full potential for utilizing optical near fields can be realized only with novel nanometric processing, functions, and manipulation, i.e., by controlling the intrinsic interaction between nanometer-sized optical near fields and material systems, and further, atoms. The book presents physically intuitive concepts and theories for students, engineers, and scientists engaged in research in nanophotonics and atom photonics. ... Read more

Book Description

Optical science, the science that studies the nature of light, can be approached from several different angles. In this third edition of a successful and well-established text, the author focuses on physical and geometrical optics. The text is based largely on Fourier analysis and shows how this method can be used to describe wave propagation and diffraction and their applications to imaging, microscopy, X-ray crystallography, radio-astronomy, and communication. Several new sections have been added, including discussions of super-resolved imaging (near field and confocal microscopy), phase-retrieval in optical and X-ray diffraction, phase-conjugate imaging, astronomical speckle masking, and squeezed-light interferometry. Throughout, the subject matter is developed by a combination of unsophisticated mathematics and physical intuition. The very broad range of subjects treated, together with the inclusion of many problems and over 300 diagrams and photographs, will make the book of great use to undergraduate and graduate students of physics, and to anyone working in the field of optical science. ... Read more

Book Description

This concise, current text provides an introduction to fiber optic technology for communications, covering the fundamentals in a precise style.An excellent primer for students beginning to study the subject, there is equal emphasis on both the theory of fiber and its applications in communications.There is a thorough explanation and description of how fiber differs from copper wire as well as a useful perspective on how fiber is used. ALSO AVAILABLE INSTRUCTOR SUPPLEMENTS CALL CUSTOMER SUPPORT TO ORDER Instructor's Guide, ISBN: 0-7668-0120-9(Keywords:Electronic Communication) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good Book for Starters!
This is a very good introduction to fiber optics and telcom as it relates to fiber optic systems. There isn't really that much in terms of equations, but there's plenty of good information about fiber optics in general. It doesn't go into details as to the actual 'technician' side of fiber optics. Perhaps a book on polishing, characterizing networks and the like would be better. I enjoyed the book since it was easy to read, understand, and had very simple (yet useful) equations.

Concise without being Overwhelming
Provides a comprehensive and fundamental overview of fiber optic methods and design criteria. Like any engineer, once I find a book like this I hang on to it and don't even lend it to my nearest relatives ... Read more

Book Description

Optoelectronics is a practical and self-contained graduate-level text on the subject.The authors include such topics as quantum mechanics of electron-photon interaction, quantization of the electro-magnetic field, semiconductor properties, quantum theory of heterostructures and nonlinear optics. They build on these concepts to describe the physics, properties and performances of light-emitting diodes, quantum well lasers, photodetectors, optical parametric oscillators and waveguides. The emphasis is on the unifying theoretical analogies of optoelectronics, such as equivalence of quantization in heterostructure wells and waveguide modes, entanglement of blackbody radiation and semiconductor statistics. ... Read more

Book Description

Radiometry is an essential part of the optical design of virtually every optical instrument, and key to many applications. It is also used to measure the radiation of various objects. This tutorial examines both the techniques of calculating radiative transfer and the measurement of fluxes and radiometric properties of various sorts. ... Read more

Book Description

This clearly written book explains the underlying theory,commercial applications, necessary design criteria, and futuredirection of Distribute Feedback (DFB) laser diode technology. Itexplains the effects that determine DFB laser diode behavior, as wellas various DFB modeling approaches and key aspects of DFB laserperformance. The book also provides critical guidelines for DFB laserdiode design, highlights various fabrication and packaging techniques,and examines DFB laser devices and their use in emerging, high-capacityoptical transmission devices. Packed with 378 equations and 171illustrations ... Read more

Reviews (1)

guide for device modelling
I found this book very purposeful towards explaining the physics behind DFB operation. It provides an interesting insight on the packaging and the current trends in DFB designs. However, it is little bit lacking when one looks for details concerning non-linear affects which are not directly an outcome of the DFB operation but may concern more with the externally applied parameters such as the type of signal for modulation, ambient temperature affects, impact of selection of bias point on prolonged performance etc. Another area that particularly concerns my interests is device modeling techniques. Not too many details are provided in explaining the 0, 1, 2 and 3-dimensional vies of the device and also in terms of parameter extraction methods and the current research going on in this area. Apart of these minor defficiencies, i think the book fares well towards providing the reader a good understanding of the DFB particularly with reference to the time domain model and the application of the coupled mode theory. ... Read more

Book Description

''This book is the best, most comprehensive collection of basic and applied material for laser-tissue interaction that is currently available....It should quickly become a standard text in biomedical optics.''--- Physics in Medicine and BiologyIn this text, scientists provide a detailed description of the physical events that occur when light interacts with tissue. Their work emphasizes the optical response of tissue during treatment procedures or diagnostic applications of laser light. Supported by numerous illustrations, chapters present methods for estimating tissue optical properties from measurements of reflection and transmission in addition to methods for measuring temperature, thermal properties and rate constants. A discussion on the applications of optical and thermal tissue interactions to various medical problems is included. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive review of fiber optic communication systems--communication systems that make use of transmission via optical fibers. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Shame for the 3rd edition
The 3rd edition is published in 2002, but still has an extensive coverage on Coherent communication and Soliton. What a shame! Anybody knows that coherent communication and Soliton are dead since WDM became commercial deployment in 1996. On other hand, the author did not cover anything applications which are succefully beaten the coherent communication and Solition and are widely applied in the current optical communication systems (e.g., CRZ, DPSK modulation, high capacity DWDM....). It seems the author is not in touch with the industry for many years and is repeating the older and dead topics.
Moreover the software contained in the CD-ROM is completely useless.

great book for the right person
This is GREAT book for people who have at least the basic optics and electrical engineering concepts, even if they dont have technical degrees, and who feel comfortable with the mathematical treatment of a subject, even when they dont understand every little detail. Actually about a third of the book can be understood easily by anyone interested in the subject, but if you cannot "read" mathematics and have never seen logarithms or partial derivatives before, then I recommend "Understanding Fiber Optics" by Hecht or a similar non-mathematical treatment of the subject.

Overall the book follows a very logical pattern in its treatment of the subject. It is an overview-style book, covering the different parts of a fiber-optic communications system individually, and then tying them together (which I thought was the most useful feature of the book). Even though it covers many practial issues, it tends to read more like a physics/optics textbook than an engineering textbook or a lab manual.

In summary if you have the basic optics/e.e. knowledge and are comfortable thinking mathematically, this is a great overview book for you, but if are a first time reader trying to learn about fiber optics, stay away from this book or use it as a second, 'reference' book only.

Not for beginners
To the 2 folks who gave the book a 1 star. It is not a book for people who are new to the industry, people with little mathematical background, or for beginners. The book is more or less straight forward for people who come from physics or optics backgrounds and have had at least 1 year of graduate school. In fact, there are quite a few useful and practical things in this book both for component and systems designers. I have found this book to be excellent both in industry and in academic environments. I highly recommend this book.

Don't buy this book.
Contains nothing but very abstract mathematical concepts and formula derivations that would only be of interest to scientists. This book offer NO examples or PRACTICAL insight on how fiber systems actually work. Useless.

Good review of state-of-the-art of the field
I read this book studying one of the courses during my Ph.D. and it definitely belongs to my bookshelf. My only complain was that while the basic theory and concepts are given well, the very recent developments are hardly systematized, notably in the chapter on optical networks. I am not sure however if this could be done better. The book also contains a number of errors. ... Read more

Book Description

Understanding the polarization of light is becoming increasingly important in the study of laser physics, nonlinear optics, and optical waveguides. This book covers the basics of polarized light representation, the propagation of light through anisotropic media, the mathematical formalism used, and induced anisotropy, devices which use induced or natural anisotropy and polarization phenomena in guided optics. Discusses both fundamentals and applications in a range of practical devices. Gives a global view of the state of polarization representation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

review from wiley
Polarization of Light Serge Huard École Nationale Supérieure de Physique de Marseille, France The study, and understanding, of the polarization of light is becoming increasingly important in a number of disciplines in the optical sciences. A sound knowledge of the subject is needed, for example, in the study of laser physics, nonlinear optics, and optical waveguides. Polarization of Light, aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as researchers active in the optical sciences, introduces the reader to the basics of polarized light representation. It discusses the propagation of light through anisotropic media, the mathematical formalism used and included anisotropy, and concludes with chapters discussing practical components and devices, and polarization phenomena in guided optics. Polarization of Light will be extremely useful both as a detailed introduction to the subject for students of optical physics, and also as a reference source for students and more advanced researchers in the field. ... Read more

Book Description

Introduction to Geometrical Optics is an in-depth treatment of paraxial optics. Only a knowledge of plane geometry, trigonometry and algebra is required. The single surface serves as the basis for understanding refraction and reflection and leads to the object/image properties of thin and thick lenses. Considerable care is taken to master the sign convention needed for solving problems. The remaining 40% of the book covers stops, numerical aperture, resolution, optical instruments trigonometric calculations and aberrations. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A tour de force on optics.
This is a must read for professors of optics, and all students interested in the science of optometry. The diagrams are extremely helpful, as is the comprehensive glossary at the end of the text. It is a valuable book, for beginners and optics professionals alike. ... Read more

Book Description

This thorough and up-to-date treatment first introduces the general formalism of scattering, absorption, and emission of light and other electromagnetic radiation by arbitrarily shaped and arbitrarily oriented particles. It then discusses the relation of the radiative transfer theory to single-scattering solutions of Maxwell's equations and describes in detail exact theoretical methods and computer codes for calculating scattering, absorption, and emission properties of arbitrarily shaped particles. Further chapters demonstrate how scattering and absorption characteristics of small particles depend on particle size, refractive index, shape, and orientation. The work illustrates how the high efficiency and accuracy of existing theoretical and experimental techniques, and the availability of fast scientific workstations, result in advanced physically-based applications of electromagnetic scattering to non-invasive particle characterization and remote sensing.This book will be valuable for science professionals, engineers and graduate students in a wide range of disciplines including optics, electromagnetics, remote sensing, climate research, and biomedicine. ... Read more

Book Description

The free electron laser (FEL) will be an outstanding tool for research and industrial application. This book describes the physical fundamentals on the basis of classical mechanics, electrodynamics, and the kinetic theory of charged particle beams, and will be suitable for graduate students and scientists alike. After a short introduction, the book discusses the theory of the FEL amplifier and oscillator and diffraction effects in the amplifier. Waveguide FEL and shot noise are also treated. ... Read more

Book Description

The application of electronic materials has created a demand for reliable techniques for examining these materials. This book looks at the area of x-ray diffraction and the modern techniques available for deployment in research. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A review
This is a new generation book. Most books available in the field cover the whole history of the X-ray scattering theories and applications. Then, specific applications that are very important in our days for industries and scientific researches are not properly treated. This book does begin where other related books have finished. The issues covered are not found anywhere else together, in a same volume, as they are here. It is fundamental to the new era of materials characterization. ... Read more

Book Description

A comprehensive look at state-of-the-art theory and practice

This book offers an in-depth look at state-of-the-art technologies and systems configurations available to telecommunications engineers who design optical communications networks. It also provides designers with precise analytical methods with which to comparatively assess available components and systems configurations for performance, reliability, and practicality. Designed to afford readers the fullest possible understanding of the similarities and dissimilarities existing between various modulation and demodulation schemes, Coherent Optical Communications Systems offers:

• A timely review of the physical properties of all major optical and optoelectronic components
• The latest thinking on direct detection systems, alone or in conjunction with optical amplifiers
• A comprehensive technical review of both conventional and novel system structures
• Detailed discussions of the characteristics of optical frequency division multiplexed systems
• A detailed look at contemporary optical systems implementations and the practical limitations of various system schemes

This valuable professional resource offers a timely, in-depth look at the many new and innovative technologies and systems configurations available to telecommunications engineers who design optical communications networks. In addition to providing a broad ranging review of state-of-the-art technologies and systems, it arms designers with comprehensive analytical tools with which to comparatively assess available components and systems configurations for performance, reliability, and practicality.

The authors, all three of whom are leading international experts in the field, begin their discussion with a thought-provoking assessment of optical communications from an information theory point of view. They explore the theoretical and empirical foundations of optical communications systems and optical technologies in general and consider the broad implications of a number of recent experimental advances.

The remainder of the book is devoted to more basic issues. Organized so as to give readers a fuller understanding of the similarities and dissimilarities between the various modulation and demodulation schemes and their practical implementations, the book's coverage progresses logically from the physical properties of individual components to systems design issues. Initial chapters offer the authors' insightful analyses of the physical properties of optical and optoelectronic components, including single mode optical fibers and fiber-based optical devices, semiconductor lasers, semiconductor amplifiers, optical modulators, and photodiodes. From there, the authors move on to a discussion of the latest thinking on direct detection systems, in which they offer their expert evaluation of the possibilities of such systems, alone or in conjunction with optical amplifiers. Following chapters include a comprehensive technical review of both conventional and novel system structures; a detailed discussion of the characteristics of optical frequency division multiplexed systems; a review of contemporary optical systems implementations; and finally, an in-depth look at the practical limitations of various system schemes.

Coherent Optical Communications Systems is an important professional resource for all those involved with the design of modern telecommunications systems. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good, but lacking...
An example would be their glossing over dual balanced photodetection and RIN cancellation. RIN is often THE dominant noise source in an otherwise well designed coherent communication system. They off-handedly refer to an inadequate and far from original paper on the subject. I did however appreciate their treatment of phase noise, and their efforts to at least cover the various modulation formats....even if the answers are 3dB lower SNR than they could be... ... Read more