Book Description
These quick and easy experiments provide a thorough introduction to what light is, how it behaves, and how it can be put to work. Robert W. Wood offers experiments that demonstrate the principles of light reflection, refraction, and diffraction so that students can thoroughly understand the changing qualities of light under various conditions. Young readers will also learn how to make and use such devices as a sundial, prism, Kaleidoscope, periscope, pinhole camera, stroboscope, and telescope. And a chapter is included on science fair projects that provides examples and explains the basic planning stages of a successful project. ... Read more

Book Description
If you want top grades and thorough understanding of beginning physics, this powerful study tool is the best tutor you can have! It takes you step-by-step through the subject and gives you accompanying related problems with fully worked solutions. You also get hundreds of additional problems to solve on your own, working at your own speed. Famous for their clarity, wealth of illustrations and examples, and lack of dreary minutie, SchaumÕs Outlines have sold more than 30 million copies worldwideÑand this guide will show you why! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Big Help in your Modern Physics Course
Physics 212 (Modern Physics) is a required course for Aerospace Engineering Students at KFUPM University in Saudi Arabia. I bought this book instead of Schaum's Outline of Modern Physics (ISBN 0070248303) as it was out of print when I needed to buy it. Only 107 out of 527 pages of this book, which I bought, covers the chapters related to modern physics. Therefore, it does not, to my way of thinking, worth to buy it if Schaum's Outline of Modern Physics (ISBN 0070248303) is on stock. However, if this book, which I did not buy, is out of print. Then I have got another talk.

Schaum's outline Beginning physics II: waves, electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics explains modern physics concepts very well indeed.More importantly, it solves problems clearly. Moreover, it helped me a lot in doing my homeworks problems quickly. Finally, it has a lot of solved problems of different ideas that I did not find in the textbook I used for this course, which was Modern Physics (ISBN 0030015472).

I strongly believe that you can make use of this book not only in your modern physics, but also in freshman physics courses as it covers topics such as waves and electromagnetism, which I had already studied in my freshman year physics courses. So, this book could be helpful for you inmore than two physics courses and, in that case, you will hit two birds with one stone if you buy this book. In addition, it is possible that you find Schaum's Outline of Modern Physics (ISBN 0070248303) to be not good. Then, in that event, you know the alternative: Make a beeline to this book.

(Dear readers: Please note that I have rated only the modern physics chapters of this book). ... 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

Customer Reviews (1)

Intermediate text, very readable, conversational tone...
Born and Wolf is a classic, but tough sledding at times. If it is a common topic in optics, you probably will prefer reading about it here instead. This book has a nice conversational tone, gives insight, and is reasonably detailed (but not exhaustive). It includes a lot of practical advice in small-type paragraphs in margins throughout the book (for example, the chapter on thin films notes that the refractive index can often vary with deposition method, etc.). ... Read more

Book Description
Most previous texts on quantum optics have been written primarily for the graduate student market at PhD level and above. Quantum optics: an introduction aims to introduce a wide range of topics at a lower level suitable for advanced undergraduate and Masters level students in physics. The text is divided into four main parts, covering modern topics in both pure and applied quantum optics: I. Introduction and background material. II. Photons. III. Atom-photon interactions. IV. Quantum information processing. The emphasis of the subject development is on intuitive physical understanding rather than mathematical arguments, although many derivations are included where appropriate. The text includes numerous illustrations, with a particular emphasis on the experimental observations of quantum optical phenomena. Each chapter includes worked examples, together with 10-15 exercises with solutions. Six appendices are included to supplement the main subject material. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good book
This is our textbook and is easy to understand. It also has answers for the exercise questions. That helps a lot.

A proper introducton
At last we have a text that provides a comprehensive introduction to quantum optics for the beginner - both theory and experiment - and one which takes you through many of the most recent concepts and potential applications in computation, cryptography and teleportation etc.

A feature of this text is the clear explanations and carefully explained jargon - it's NOT just mostly a collection of math like some other supposedly introductory texts.

If you want to find out what quantum optics is all about - this is a great book to start with.

Excellent Introduction to Quantum Optics
I developed an interest in quantum optics in my last year of undergraduate school but I became discouraged with it since every book that I picked up on the subject was esoteric and too involved for an introduction.It seemed as if NONE of the quantum optics textbooks available were appropriate as an introduction.But then I found this book.

Although not as mathematically intensive as I was hoping for it to be, it explains the physics very well.And although it doesn't compensate for many years of post-graduate study, I was able to better understand research papers in quantum optics due to this book.

The book follows a rather traditional approach to developing quantum optics...first starting off with a discussion of important results in electromagnetism, classical optics, and quantum mechanics...then progressing to the theory of photons (discussing photon statistics, coherent states, and second quantization (with regard to photon number states)).Furthermore, it discusses the essential "backbone" of quantum optics (light-matter interactions) and then applications of quantum optics (quantum computing, quantum entanglement, etc.).

I broke the rules and skipped ahead to the applications section and I must say that everything seems to make sense because of Fox's ability to convey difficult ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand manner.

For anybody just starting to take an interest in quantum optics (like I was at one point), I would strongly suggest this book.It's not as mathematically sophisticated as Loudon's "The Quantum Theory of Light" (which is another must-have for quantum optics), but it's an excellent introduction. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Pauli has a good time with optics
This is a very short book on optics. It has only some 170 pages!
Still, it's a great fun! Pauli starts witn the Fermat principle and soon finds out the Hamilon-Jacobi equation connected to this variational principle: it's the eikonal equation. He proceeds to get a lot of general results in geometrical optics. After that come interference and diffraction; optics from Maxwell theory,crystal and molecular optics. You'll find fresh perspectives, surprising connections, everywhere. This is the ideal book to review your optical expertise: you'll have lots of fun seeing things you are familiar with, much better done! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Fast-paced and in-depth
Paraphrasing J.W. Goodman in his Fourier Optics, E.L.O'Neill helped consummate the marriage between communication theory and optics.
This book is not an introduction. In under 200 pages, It covers geometrical, fourier and statistical optics without patiently deriving the formulae in small steps. It feels to me like a train ride over a long distance, with many stops where the conductor points at important scenes and tells good stories that I did not know before, even for the places I previously visited. For example, page 26-27 talks about contrast reversal in a most direct fashion in real space, much more elucidating than treatments in frequency space only.
The range of the topics in this book is close to 50% of combined (Warren Smith's Modern Optical Engineering + Joseph Goodman's Fourier Optics & Statistical Optics), the depth is about 80% of that combo, while the thickness is only 10%. ... Read more

Book Description

Symplectic geometry, well known as the basic structure of Hamiltonian mechanics, is also the foundation of optics. In fact, optical systems (geometric or wave) have an even richer symmetry structure than mechanical ones (classical or quantum). The symmetries underlying the geometric model of light are based on the symplectic group. Geometric Optics on Phase Space develops both geometric optics and group theory from first principles in their Hamiltonian formulation on phase space. This treatise provides the mathematical background and also collects a host of useful methods of practical importance, particularly the fractional Fourier transform currently used for image processing.The reader will appreciate the beautiful similarities between Hamilton's mechanics and this approach to optics. The appendices link the geometry thus introduced to wave optics throughLie methods. The book addresses researchers and graduate students.

Book Description

Statistical Methods in Quantum Optics 2 - Non-Classical Fields continues the development of the methods used in quantum optics to treat open quantum systems and their fluctuations. Its early chapters build upon the phase-space methods introduced in the first volume Statistical Methods in Quantum Optics 1 - Matter Equations and Fokker-Planck Equations: the difficulties these methods face in treating non-classical light are exposed, where the regime of large fluctuationsfailure of the system size expansionis shown to be particularly problematic. Cavity QED is adopted as a natural vehicle for extending quantum noise theory into this regime. In response to the issues raised, the theory of quantum trajectories is presented as a universal approach to the treatment of fluctuations in open quantum systems.

Book Description
This text will thoroughly update the existing literature on atomic physics. Intended to accompany an advanced undergraduate course in atomic physics, the book will lead the students up to the latest advances and the applications to Bose-Einstein Condensation of atoms, matter-wave
inter-ferometry and quantum computing with trapped ions. The elementary atomic physics covered in the early chapters should be accessible to undergraduates when they are first introduced to the subject. To complement the usual quantum mechanical treatment of atomic structure the book strongly
emphasizes the experimental basis of the subject, especially in the later chapters. It includes ample tutorial material (examples, illustrations, chapter summaries, graded problem sets). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

old and new material [especially on qubits]
This book has two types of material; both well done. The first could have been written decades ago, and is the "traditional" atomic physics. Where you start with the hydrogen atom, and investigate its spectroscopy with the Schrodinger equation. Then the book takes the next logical step by going to helium and thence to heavier atoms. LS and JJ coupling and other refinements. Such material is now quite well known and you need this for a solid background.

But the book also has much more recent material. On quantum computing using qubits. These attempt to use the quantum states of small groups of atoms, to perform computations fundamentally different from current digital efforts. Enough detail is given for you to appreciate the severe experimental travails of the field, and how much more remains to be done, if qubits are ever to become useful. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (7)

A terrific little book to start with - and continue to use
This book is a little gem - and it costs next to nothing.

It's a beautifully concise and remarkably clear introduction to the main principles of modern optics - the ones that you are going to need over and over again as you continue into the subject.

This book gives you a great overview and set of basic foundations for every-day modern optics. I return to it often for little insights and reminders, even after 37 years in the business.

For the price Great
Great book to revise theory on Dual nature of light. Its like a nice handbook on optics. A full blown version would be very even nicer, with a math section to remind 'old' engineering like myself.

One word of caution, I think some graduate school background in Physics and Math is needed for engineers. I am an engineer (
I have a Phd, therefore it was easy for to me follow as I was reading), so I look at things slightly differently than Physicists.

Decent, economical book for optics
I bought this book while taking an optics course using Hecht's Optics 4th ed.I found Fowler's book to be fairly useful, especially since I got to see optics from two different perspectives.The one really good thing about this book is it's price, and makes it a good reference book.The downside is that since it's quite short, it doesn't cover everything, moves fairly fast, and has no examples.For the price I paid, however, I am quite satisfied.

Terrific Text
I was fortunate to have a physics professor use this text in his undergrad class.At the time, I considered optics as a mere curiousity.Well, I enjoyed the book and course enough to continue with the subject, eventually getting a PhD in Optical Physics.Never regretted it.I still rely on Fowles as a frequent reference, especially when deriving Fresnel eqns from Maxwell's eqns, solid state refresher, and intro to quantum theory.

There Are Superior Books!
This book by G.R. Fowles sufficies for one or two all-nighter studying sessions where a massive review of physical optics is needed.

The advantages to the book are that it is concise and attempts to cover a small fraction of the mathematics behind physical optics.Yet, there are some mistakes, such as an incorrect presentation of the forward Fourier Transform in the first chapters.

As far as the explanations and motivations for modern theoretical and applied optics, this book does not compare to "Optiks" by Born and Wolfe.

In essence, the books by Born or Hecht make this book the 'engineers reference' in the world of academia. ... Read more

Book Description

The optics of biological particles is of great relevance to detect and characterize biological material, such as bacteria, marine particles, or blood cells. Many remote sensing detectors for biological cells exploit single scattering, depolarization, or fluorescence signals. The growing knowledge on the optics of biological particles is therefore of ever increasing relevance in such diverse fields as microbiology, cytology, biomedicine, biophysics, astrobiology, etc.

Book Description
The book provides an introduction to the methods of quantum statistical mechanics used in quantum optics and their application to the quantum theories of the single-mode laser and optical bistability. The generalized representations of Drummond and Gardiner are discussed together with the more standard methods for deriving Fokker--Planck equations. Particular attention is given to the theory of optical bistability formulated in terms of the positive P-representation, and the theory of small bistable systems. This is a textbook at an advanced graduate level. It is intended as a bridge between an introductory discussion of the master equation method and problems of current research. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent book with a lot of nice stuff inside
This book is so cheap but with so many interesting stuff inside, I guess everyone in optics should know something about symmetry and the general thoery.

Analytical methods
This book is by far the best in the field of geometrical optics dealing with 3-d, 5-th and higher orders aberrations in symmetric optical system. The language is very clear and easy to follow, itis written for a broad audience. I would personally recommend it for all how has an interest in the theory of optical aberrations. ... Read more

Book Description
This comprehensive book provides a detailed introduction to the basic physics and engineering aspects of lasers, as well as to the design and operational principles of a wide range of optical systems and electro-optic devices. Throughout, the author gives full details of important derivations and results, as well as many practical examples of the design, construction, and performance characteristics of different types of lasers and electro-optic devices. Covering a broad range of topics in modern optical physics and engineering, this book will be invaluable to those taking undergraduate courses in laser physics, optoelectronics, photonics, and optical engineering. It will also act as a useful reference for graduate students and researchers in these fields.Download Description
This comprehensive book provides a detailed introduction to the basic physics and engineering aspects of lasers, as well as to the design and operational principles of a wide range of optical systems and electro-optic devices. Throughout, the author gives full details of important derivations and results, as well as many practical examples of the design, construction, and performance characteristics of different types of lasers and electro-optic devices. Covering a broad range of topics in modern optical physics and engineering, this book will be invaluable to those taking undergraduate courses in laser physics, optoelectronics, photonics, and optical engineering. It will also act as a useful reference for graduate students and researchers in these fields. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

a solid textbook on Laser for intermediate level
Starting from Einstein's coefficients in Chapter 1 for stimulated emission this book tries to cover optical system, resonators, Solid-state Lasers, Gas Lasers and so on. Later Chapters deals with Coherence Theory, Laser Applications including holography and Laser Plasma generation. As a Laser Engineer I recommend this book for its efforts in trying to cover all the subfields in Lasers starting from the very beginning and taking complex issues one by one in a systematic way. Professor Davis surely deserves much kudos for writing materials in a easy and reader friendly way.Overall a very good intermediate level text on Laser!

emphasis on engineering readership
Davis offers a comprehensive sweep of the subject of lasers and electro-optics. Lasers are inherently quantum devices, and the text starts with a straightforwardly clear explanation based on elementary quantisation of energy levels. Flowing from this, various types of lasers are described. The historically important ruby laser, which was the first laser ever made. Gas lasers, like the He-Ne, are explained. Along with the Nd-YAG and Argon lasers. Dye lasers, with their tunable ability, are not neglected.

But for electro-optical purposes, it is the solid state lasers that are the most significant. Davis describes the theory of heterojunctions, and how LEDs and lasers can be made and operated, based on these. There is a minimal explanation of solid state band structure. Enough to explain the devices at an engineering level. Though physics students might want to consult a text like Ashcroft and Mermin or Kittel for a more thorough excursion into the physics.

Given the book's title, the text also devotes substantial space to explaining electro-optical elements and the circuits from which these can be made. Switches and detectors are well described.

Not the best lasers text out there:
This book is intended for a graduate-level course on lasers.While covering a number of subjects in depth, there are a large number of mistakes.There has been two reprintings with corrections, so I would hate to have seen the first printing.There are many mistakes in the equations (usually easily ferreted out) as well as in the problems.The problems can be very frustrating as they are often as clear as mud.Overall however, the book does do a good job of covering most topics, but if you are looking for a better lasers book, I would go with Verdeyen's Laser Electronics (ISBN:013706666X) or Siegman's Lasers (ISBN: 0935702113)

Recommended Optical Communications Text
I highly recommend this text.As a student under Prof Davis in 1995-96 Iused his text extensively and found it to be extremely well designed andthough in all regards.

An excellent book of basic principles of photonics
As a graduate student majoring optics, this is the kind of book that I always want to keep near me. This book combines important topics of laser, electro-optics, and more in a well organized manner. So anyone involved inlaser, eletro-optics, and photinics can refer to only one book for thebasic principles. The math is not so difficult and every derivation isworked out quite thoroughly. There are many useful examples of latestsystems, elements too. However, the early part covering laser is not sodetailed as the other laser books, although the second half dealing withelectro-optics is excellent in every aspect. I had a quite hard time withYariv's book of optical electronics, but feel pretty comfortable with thisbook. Highly recommendable to anyone majoring the field of laser,photonics. ... Read more

Book Description

Following the birth of the laser in 1960, the field of "nonlinear optics" rapidly emerged.

Book Description
One of the most profound revolutions brought about by quantum mechanics is that it does away with the distinction between waves and particles: atoms, in particular, can exhibit all the properties that we associate with wave phenomena, such as diffraction and interference; it has recently even become possible to prepare collections of atoms in coherent states, like those of photons in a laser beam. These developments are at the core of the rapidly expanding field of atom optics. ||Atom Optics gradually leads the reader from elementary concepts to the frontiers of the field. It is organized in three parts, linear, nonlinear, and quantum atom optics. After a review of light forces on atoms and of laser cooling, the first part discusses the application of light forces to atom optical elements such as gratings, mirrors and lenses, matter-wave diffraction, and atomic traps and resonators. The discussion of nonlinear atom optics starts with a review of collisions from a viewpoint that clearly demonstrates its profound analogy with nonlinear optics. The last part, quantum atom optics, first recalls key results of many-body theory in a formulation geared specifically toward atom optics. This is followed by a discussion of atomic Bose-Einstein condensation and "atom lasers." The final chapters treat such applications as atomic solitons, four-wave mixing, superradiance, and conclude with the coherent amplification of matter waves. ||An online web component to the book, a gateway to atom optics, contains links to the leading references and journals in the field, to research sites, and to updates for the contents of the book.FROM THE REVIEWS:¿Atom optics today has reached maturity: It has become both wave (coherent) and nonlinear atom optics. Of course that expansion required generalization in a new book. Pierre Meystre has taken just such a generalist approach in his timely ATOM OPTICS. His were the pioneering works in atom optics; to get information from the first explorer is always most valuable to the reader d] to all strata of the physics community.¿ ¿PHYSICS TODAY ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

reworking of optics with atoms
The book is a fascinating account of very recent research that treats atoms as photons are treated in optics experiments. Physicists are attempting to re-enact those latter procedures, but recast with atoms.

At one level, the book shows clearly the wave-particle duality of nature. While elementary physics texts have discussed this for decades, the procedures described in the book had to wait till recently, to be within reach of experimental techniques.

The Bose-Einstein condensate may be the most challenging of the experiments shown. The mesoscopic extent of the condensates offers us a chance to possibly find unexpected results in quantum cohesion of multi-atom systems. ... Read more

Book Description
This book provides a throrough introduction to the interaction of atoms and atomic ions with optical and magnetic fields.The author places particular emphasis on the wealth of important multilevel effects, where atomic vapors exhibit anisotropic behavior.As well as covering the classic two-level atom approach to light-atom interactions, Suter describes in detail a general multilevel formalism, which he uses to discuss optical pumping, two-dimensional spectroscopy and nonlinear optical dynamics.The final chapter deals with the mechanical effects of light, including the cooling and trapping of atoms.With full theoretical and experimental coverage, and over 250 illustrations, the book will be of great interest to graduate students of laser spectroscopy, quantum electronics and quantum optics, and to researchers in these fields. ... Read more

Product Description
This text/reference provides students, practicing engineers, and scientists with the fundamental physical laws and modern applications used in industry. Unlike many of its competitors, modern physics theory (e.g., quantum physics) and its applications are discussed in detail, including laser techniques and fiber optics, nuclear fusion, digital electronics, wave optics, and more. An extensive review of Boolean algebra and logic gates is also included. Because of its in-text examples with solutions and self-study exercise sets, the book can be used as a refresher for engineering licensing exams or as a full year course. It emphasizes only the level of mathematics needed to master concepts used in industry. FEATURES *Designed as a text/reference to provide students and practicing engineers with information on modern theory and industry applications*Modern applications are discussed in detail, including laser techniques, holograms, fiber optics, nuclear fusion, digital electronics, wave optics, and more *Includes material on Boolean algebra and logic gates*CD-ROM includes simulations, a video tutorial, figures, and other resourcesBRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS1. Quantum Physics. 2. Electron Optics. 3. Geometrical Objects. 4. Wave Theory of Light. 5. Diffraction of Light. 6. Polarization of Light. 7. Nuclear Structure and Nuclear Forces. 8. Number Systems Used in Digital Electronics. 9. Logic Gates and Boolean algebra. 10. Dielectrics. 11. Lasers. 12. Fiber Optics. Appendix. About the CD-ROM. Index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Perfect for either a survey or a refresher course.
A cd-rom of demos accompanies Engineering Physics Fundamentals & Modern Applications, a pick recommended for college-level collections and packed with a blend of physical law reviews and updated industry applications examples. Perfect for classrooms as well as college physics collections, it's designed to be used as either a text or a working engineer's reference, and includes detailed descriptions of everything from fiber optics to holograms and logic gates. Perfect for either a survey or a refresher course. ... Read more

Book Description
This book is intended for a one semester course in optics for juniors and seniors in science and engineering; it uses Mathcad(R) scripts to provide a simulated laboratory where students can learn by exploration and discovery instead of passive absorption.The text covers all the standard topics of a traditional optics course, including: geometrical optics and aberration, interference and diffraction, coherence, Maxwell's equations, wave guides and propagating modes, blackbody radiation, atomic emission and lasers, optical properties of materials, Fourier transforms and FT spectroscopy, image formation, and holography. It contains step by step derivations of all basic formulas in geometrical, wave and Fourier optics.The basic text is supplemented by over 170 Mathcad files, each suggesting programs to solve a particular problem, and each linked to a topic in or application of optics. The computer files are dynamic, allowing the reader to see instantly the effects of changing parameters in the equations. Students are thus encouraged to ask "what...if" questions to asses the physical implications of the formulas.The book is written for the study of particular projects but can easily be adapted to a variation of related studies. The three-fold arrangement of text, applications, and files makes the book suitable for "self-learning" by by scientists or engineers who would like to refresh their knowledge of optics. All files are printed out and are available on a CD and may well serve as starting points to find solutions to more complex problems as experienced by engineers in their applications. ... Read more

Book Description
Light and Matter: Electromagnetism, Optics, Spectroscopy and Lasers provides comprehensive coverage of the interaction of light and matter and resulting outcomes. Covering theory, practical consequencies and applications, this modern text serves to bridge the gap between electromagnetism, optics, spectroscopy and lasers. The book introduces the reader to the nature of light, explanes key procedures which occur as light travels through matter and delves into the effects and applications, exploring spectroscopy, lasers, nonlinear optics, fiber optics, quantum optics and light scattering. Extensive examples ensure clarity of meaning while the dynamic structure allows sections to be studies independently of one another.
* covers both fundamentals and applications
* features numerous examples
* dynamic structure allows sections to be studied independently of one another
* in depth coverage of modern topics.

This is an essential text for students of electromagnetism and optics, optoelectronics and lasers, quantum electronics spectroscopy, as well as being an invaluable reference for researches. ... Read more