Synopses & Reviews
This book covers the fundamental properties and the description of single photons and light beams, experimentally and theoretically. It explains the essentials of linear interactions and most nonlinear interactions between light and matter in both the transparent and absorbing cases. It also provides a basic understanding of modern quantum optics and lasers, as well as the principles of nonlinear optical spectroscopy. It is self-consistent and enriched by a large number of calculated illustrations, examples, and descriptive tables. Graduate students in physics and electrical engineering, as well as other sciences, will find this book a thorough introduction to the field, while for lecturers and scientists it is a rich source of useful information and a ready-to-hand reference. The new edition has been thoroughly expanded and revised in all sections
Review
From the reviews of the second edition: "Menzel covers a narrower subject area in greater depth. We are treated to a comprehensive discussion of linear and nonlinear interactions between light and matter with more of the mathematics than some others offer. ... the bibliography that extends over four hundred pages with 67 books for further reading, and more than 6000 references! This is a very nice book for specialists at the post-graduate level and beyond." (Barry Luther-Davis, Australian Physics, Vol. 45 (1), 2008)
Review
From the reviews of the second edition:
"Menzel covers a narrower subject area in greater depth. We are treated to a comprehensive discussion of linear and nonlinear interactions between light and matter with more of the mathematics than some others offer. ... the bibliography that extends over four hundred pages with 67 books for further reading, and more than 6000 references! This is a very nice book for specialists at the post-graduate level and beyond." (Barry Luther-Davis, Australian Physics, Vol. 45 (1), 2008)
Synopsis
Since the invention of the laser in 1960 there has been an enormous increase in the number of applications of this newly available light and its spectacular properties, and there is no end to this development in sight. In many ?elds of science, technology and medicine laser photons are the driving force of progress. In the near future we will probably experience a further rapid - velopment in this ?eld as a result of the widespread industrial production of semiconductor diode lasers and new nonlinear optical materials. Light from the new lasers may become even cheaper than that from light bulbs. Thus, laser optic devices will in?uence all sectors of private and public life. Thehighpower, highbrightness, narrowbandwidth, goodcoherence, s- cial polarization and/or short pulses of laser light beams enable new appli- tions. Many of these processes will be based on nonlinear optical interactions of the laser light with suitable optical material. In these interactions the - terial is modi?ed by the incident light. The light is then in turn modi?ed by the modi?ed matter. Finally, the nonlinear modi?cation of light as a function of other light becomes possible. Light is modi?ed by light. To use laser light in this sense in science, technology and medicine, kn- ledge from di?erent ?elds of physics, chemistry and engineering is necess
Synopsis
The definition of photonics has been broadened in recent years to include nonlinear and quantum optics, today usually based on laser light. This book covers the fundamental properties of photon and light beams, both experimentally and theoretically. It covers the essentials of linear interactions and most of the nonlinear interactions between light and matter in both the transparent and absorbing cases. It also provides a basic knowledge of modern lasers, as well as the principles of nonlinear optical spectroscopy. It is self-consistent and enriched by a large number of calculated illustrations, examples, and descriptive tables. Graduate students in physics and electrical engineering, as well as other sciences, will find this book a thorough introduction to the field, while for lecturers and scientists it offers a rich source of useful information and a ready-to-hand reference. About 4000 references open access to original literature.
Synopsis
Shows how nonlinear phenomena play a more and more important role for everybody using the laser "as a tool," making it unique in this respect. Provides a basic knowledge of modern lasers, as well as the principles of nonlinear optical spectroscopy (and an exhaustive list of 4000 references) From first-edition reviews: "Almost a handbook, reviewing in a single author's voice the basic properties of light and its linear and nonlinear interactions with matter, both in the absence and in the presence of absorption." Physics Today
Synopsis
The updated 2nd edition covers fundamentals of photon and light beams, both experimentally and theoretically. The book also reviews basics of modern lasers, and principles of nonlinear optical spectroscopy. Includes many calculated illustrations, examples, and descriptive tables.
Table of Contents
Topics in Photonics.- Properties and Description of Light.- Linear Interactions between Light and Matter.- Nonlinear Interactions of Light and Matter without Absorption.- Nonlinear Interactions of Light and Matter with Absorption.- Lasers.- Nonlinear Optical Spectroscopy.- References.