Author Description

From...The first half of the book deals essentially with physical optics, that is, the propagation of light, its vectorial nature, coherence and interference, diffraction, and the optics of solids. The remainder of the book is devoted to the emission of light by atoms, molecules and solid bodies. The quantum aspect of light is, of course, taken up in this part of the book. The final chapter is concerned with the theory of optical amplification and the use of this principle in the making of the laser. The MKS rationalized system of units is employed throughout.Recent developments, such as the applications of lasers to the study of optics, are integrated with the regular text material from the beginning. Thus in Chapter 2 there is a section on the Jones matrix and its application to the study of polarization.Chapter 3 introduces the concepts of partial coherence, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and the theory of multilayer films, in addition to conventional interference theory. Chapter 4, besides the usual theory of diffraction, treats the theory of holography and the use of the Fourier transform in the study of diffraction. Chapter 5 contains a section on nonlinear optics.In order to treat adequately the theory of light amplification, a brief introduction to quantum theory and optical spectra have been included (Chapters 6 and 7). These chapters deal with the emission of light by solid bodies (thermal radiation) and emission by atomic and molecular systems. They may be omitted in a short course if the student has taken a course in atomic physics...Chapter 1: The Propogation of light, Chapter 2: The Vectorial Nature of Light, Chapter 3: Coherene and Interference, Chapter 4: Diffraction, Chapter 5: Optics of Solids, Chapter 6: Thermal Radiation and Light Quanta, Chapter 7: Optical Spectra; Chapter 8: Amplification of Light. Lasers