In the thirty-seven years that have gone by since the first volume of Progress in Optics was published, optics has become one of the most dynamic fields of science. At the time of inception of this series, the first lasers were only just becoming operational, holography was in its infancy, subjects such as fiber optics, integrated optics and optoelectronics did not exist and quantum optics was the domain of only a few physicists. The term photonics had not yet been coined. Today these fields are flourishing and have become areas of specialisation for many science and engineering students and numerous research workers and engineers throughout the world. Some of the advances in these fields have been recognized by awarding Nobel prizes to seven physicists in the last twenty years. The volumes in this series which have appeared up to now contain nearly 190 review articles by distinguished research workers, which have become permanent records for many important developments. They have helped optical scientists and optical engineers to stay abreast of their fields. There is no sign that developments in optics are slowing down or becoming less interesting. We confidently expect that, just like their predecessors, future volumes of Progress in Optics will faithfully record the most important advances that are being made in optics and related fields.

'No volume of Progress in Optics needs a long review: you just need to know that a new one has appeared and to make sure your librarian has a standing order.'

-- Applied Optics

'Such is the standard of the series PROGRESS IN OPTICS that the arrival of a further volume is cause for celebration: one is never disappointed. As usual ... the authors are generally people who have themselves made valuable contributions to their fields of study, leading to articles with the stamp of authority.'

-- Optica Acta

Preface

1. Gaussian Apodization and Beam Propagation, V. Mahajan

2. Control of Nonlinear Optical Processes in Multi-level Atomic Systems, A. Joshi and M. Xiao

3. Photonic Crystals, H. Benisty and C. Weisbuch

4. Symmetry Properties and Polarization Descriptors for an Arbitrary Electromagnetic Wavefield, C. Brosseau and A. Dogariu

5. Quantum Cryptography, M. Dusek, N. Lutkenhaus and M. Hendrych

6. Optical Quantum Cloning, N.J. Cerf and J. Fiurasek

Author index for Volume 49

Subject index for Volume 49

Contents of previous volumes

Cumulative index - Volumes 1-49