Product Description

Engineering Optics is a book for students who want to apply their knowledge of optics to engineering problems, as well as for engineering students who want to acquire the basic principles of optics. It covers such important topics as optical signal processing, holography, tomography, holographic radars, fiber optical communication, electro- and acousto-optic devices, and integrated optics (including optical bistability). As a basis for understanding these topics, the first few chapters give easy-to-follow explanations of diffraction theory, Fourier transforms, and geometrical optics. Practical examples, such as the video disk, the Fresnel zone plate, and many more, appear throughout the text, together with numerous solved exercises. There is an entirely new section in this updated edition on 3-D imaging.

Customer Reviews (2)

A colourful and lively textbook on Optics
I read the first edition of Professor Iizuka's Engineering Optics while an engineering undergraduate. No doubt the book was an eye-opener for me - suddenly, all the dreary mathematics and abstract concepts became lively and meaningful. Quoting Prof. Iizuka's own words--"Optics is Light Work", I found this book, filled with humorous cartoons and illustrations, certainly brought out the "light" in optics.

More than a decade later, I am excited to read the third edition of this book. Now as an assistant professor teaching introductory optics to the undergraduate electrical engineering students, I find this book most helpful in demonstrating an effective approach to teaching optics to engineering students. It emphasizes practical applications of optical technologies. The mathematical formulae and derivations are used as a tool to help understand how things work, with helpful interpretations through many illustrations and apt analogies. The examples and problem sets at the end of each chapter are also helpful to students and instructors alike.

Chapter 1 provides a historical review of important contributions in optics. Covering the optics development since 4000 B.C. to the present day in merely 24 pages, it outlines the milestone theories and experiments in the history of optics most succinctly and lively. Understandably, there are many omissions, but the purpose of this chapter is not to be exhaustive in covering the history of optics, but rather to serve as an "appetizer", to fascinate the young readers and lead them to explore more in this field that is both ancient and fast advancing.Chapter 2 lays down the basic mathematical tools used throughout the book, including the expressions of various types of waves and a short summary of Fourier Transform and Hankel Transform, which will be frequently used in later chapters on Fourier Optics. I found it very helpful to have a separate chapter focusing on the mathematical tools, making it more convenient for the readers to refer back to when needed. Chapters 3 and 4 analyze the diffraction phenomenon, followed by a selection of typical diffraction examples, such as the diffraction grating and the Fresnel Zone Plate. The scalar wave approach is used throughout, which I think is appropriate for the senior year undergraduate level or the introductory graduate level.

Chapter 5 takes a different turn and discusses geometric optics. Unlike most textbooks where geometric optics is discussed independently of wave optics and focuses on lens systems, here the eikonal equation is derived from the wave equation, and is applied to solve for propagation constants in fibers and waveguides. Then, in Chapter 6, the convex lens is introduced, and the focus is on the Fourier Transform property of the lens. Chapter 7 is a separate chapter devoted to the Fast Fourier Transform method. It is a topic not specifically related to optics, and can be skipped without affecting the rest of the book. However, the reader may find its inclusion convenient.

Chapters 8 and 9 are devoted to holography. Chapter 8 covers the principle, the classification, and the applications of holography. There is a short section on computer-generated holograms. Given the wide use of computers and the availability of much more powerful personal computers nowadays, I think it would have been more helpful if this section were expanded to include more details and examples in this edition. The procedure of fabricating a hologram optically is detailed in Chapter 9. It is clearly geared towards readers who are interested in creating holograms as a hobby, with instructions even on the building of an optical bench and detailed dark-room procedures for film development.

Optical signal processing based on Fourier Optics is discussed in Chapter 10 and 11. I like the fact that a fairly detailed description of computer tomography is also included here. Then, in Chapter 12, the topic of microwave imaging is explored, with the emphasis placed on radar imaging. Given the recent development in coherent optical imaging, I think it would be better still if a section on lidars were included here.

Chapters 13 through 15 shift the focus to photonic devices, primarily those used in optical communication, including optical fiber, semiconductor laser diodes, PIN photodiodes, polarization devices, and integrated planar lightwave devices. Though many advances have been made in these devices since the first edition was published, and some updates in these chapters would have made it better, the book's focus is on the basic principles, and its approach to these subjects is in my opinion quite suitable for an introductory level textbook.

The major addition made in the third edition is Chapter 16--3D imaging, covering a variety of techniques used for creating 3D vision out of 2D displays, with most illustrations in colour. As with other chapters, Prof. Iizuka leads the reader step by step, from understanding of the physiological factors of 3D vision, to the principles of various approaches, to the actual implementations of these principles. Some examples of the fabrication of stereoscopes are nicely illustrated, and the chapter also includes the recent research advances made by Prof. Iizuka and industry collaborators in this area. 3D imaging is an interesting and lively topic because of its practical applications in everyday life, and Prof. Iizuka's illustrations and animated discussions make this chapter both literally and figuratively the most colourful of the entire book.

Overall, it is a delightful book, and I would definitely recommend it to students who just start out on the path of exploring optical technologies, and educators who would like to enlighten the young minds fascinated by the field of optical engineering.

Great link between optical theory and real world applications.
I found this textbook a valuable source for solving real-world optical application problems. The back cover description summarizes it best. "Engineering Optics is a textbook for physics students who want to apply their knowledge of optics to engineering problems, as well as for engineering students who want to acquire the basic principles of optics. It covers such important topics as optical signal processing, holography, tomography, holographic radars, fiber optical communication, electro- and acousto-optic devices, and integrated optics (including optical bistability). As a basis for understanding these topics, the first few chapters give easy-to-follow explanations of diffraction theory, Fourier transforms, and geometrical optics. Practical examples, such as the video disk, the Fresnel zone plate, and many more, appear throughout the text, together with numerous solved exercises." ... Read more