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Optics gives a comprehensive and balanced account of traditional optics as well as some of the recent developments in this field while meeting the requirements of a course on optics meant for undergraduate students of science and engineering. ... Read more

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Describes the physical composition and characteristics of glass, and presents glassmaking techniques and the various uses made of glass throughout history. ... Read more

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Optics use is growing beyond the hunting world and crossing into wildlife watching. This unique reference provides specific recommendations for the most popular recreational optics including binoculars, firearm scopes, and spotting scopes.

Optics users are provided with practical comparisons between competing products and pros and cons about whether to buy new or used, helping them get the best deal. Objective reviews of optical accessories help readers decide which are best for their needs.

This entertaining, useful read utilizes lively writing and anecdotes from the field, untangles the technical jargon of the optics industry, and offers steps for greater success.

• Brings the world of optics into clear, understandable terms
• Compares popular optics to help make better buying decisions
• Offers pros and cons of buying new or used
• Provides objective reviews of optics accessories
• Describes history and mechanics of optics development ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Just what you need to know about optics.
I feel most people think optics are so involved that they will trust a saleperson.This book was great reading as a learning tool for the basics of optics.I highly recommend it.

A promising title, but a major disappointment
I have been using optics with firearms for over 45 years. Recently I decided to update and expand my understanding of sporting optics. Unfortunately this book fails to provide objective data in the way of comparisons and is written in a very subjective manner. The author fails to provide formulas and/or diagrams when the material described needs formulas or diagrams to be comprehensible. An example is a quick discussion of European reticles without having meaningful diagrams of the seven or more reticles described. There are plenty of photographs, however, the majority are of the author and his custom this or expensive what ever's. The text is written in the first person and fails miserably to educate or illuminate the subject matter. The promised recommendations in the rear of the book were purported to be personally selected and not a cut and paste from catalogs. I hoped to find objective buying recommendations, however, it is a cut and paste job w/o any A:B comparisons or data beyond the manufacturer's . When discussing fine binoculars and companies, Dr. Van Zwoll fails to mention the Bausch and Lomb Elite series. The B&L Elite series is very highly rated by bird and nature watchers. I'm surprised by the author's constant use of I, me, and subjective w/o attempting to illuminate the material for someone trying to learn. IMHO Dr. Van Zwoll's Ph.D. is best described as "Piled Higher & Deeper." ... Read more

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This book is an introduction to applied optics, covering elementary ray and wave optics as well as lasers, holography, fibers, optical waveguides, integrated optics, and quantum noise. Further chapters deal with the physical principles of optical instruments, light sources, and detectors. Numerous examples and exercises with complete solutions help the readers to deepen their knowledge.This completely revised and enlarged edition is intended for advanced undergraduates in laser physics and engineering but will also be helpful for active scientists. ... Read more

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This unique manual and accompanying CD-ROM assists you in accurately viewing the optic disc to discover abnormalities and improve your viewing technique. Concise and reader friendly, it helps you determine clues to underlying pathology, including intracranial pressure, diabetes, hypertension, and emboli. Topics include swollen optic disc, atrophy, vascular events at the disc and retina, common retinal and macular disease, and phakomatoses. ... Read more

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The most up-to-date treatment available on modern optics. Covers classical topics and surveys the state of the art in applications including laser optics, fiber optics and medical imaging. The rigorous physical approach makes this text/reference suitable for courses in optics, physics and electrical engineering. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

a solid text
This is a highly concise book on optics. However, it is not an introductory one. It requires a good knowledge of mathematical topics mentioned in the first review.

Best available undergraduate optics text
This book is up-to date and broad in coverage. It has good treatments of paraxial matrix optics, fourier transform optics
(Fresnel-Kirchoff formulation), multiple thin films, and fiber optics, as well as other topics. Useful as a text for an undergraduate optics course or as a reference for someone who is familiar with optics on the level of introductory university physics. Requires background in Fourier transforms, electromagnetism up to Maxwell's equations, and matrix algebra for the relevant topics. End-of chapter problems are reasonable.

good for reference
This book has a great amount of pictures, figures, diagrams to give readers a good physical insight in Optics. But sometimes it gives too much not-so-related information (historical facts, analogies) to keep readers in focus.A good book if you already have some basic idea in Optics. ... Read more

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This book describes the fundamental principles of the laser and the propagation of laser radiation in bulk and guided wave components. All solid state, gas, and semiconductor lasers are analyzed as macroscopic devices with susceptibility originating from quantum mechanical interactions. Additional analysis of the unique properties of coherent laser light in optical components is derived from fundamental principles. ... Read more

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Clear, accessible guide requires little prior knowledge and considers just two topics: paraxial imaging and polarization. Lucid discussions of paraxial imaging properties of a centered optical system, optical resonators and laser beam propagation, matrices in polarization optics and propagation of light through crystals, much more. 60 illustrations. Appendixes. Bibliography.
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Customer Reviews (5)

Just Right
This book may not be what you're looking for - but it was exactly what I was looking for.I was lead to pick up this book by my study of another book Principles of Lasers (4th edition), which is a graduate level laser physics text.I got through the quantum sections of the book without too much problem, but then upon reaching the optics portion I came to the realization that I needed a more basic study of optics before I proceeded.So taking a break from Lasers I turned to finding a good optics book.I first I tried a more general textbook that had way too much introductory information that I didn't want or need and nowhere near enough of the specific topics that I did want and need.Then I discovered Matrix Methods in Optics by Gerrard and Burch - Eureka.

There's only five chapters to this book, so if you're looking for a general introduction to optics this will not work for you.I skipped the introductory first chapter, but then dove in to the second chapter (Paraxial Ray Approximation) and the third (Optical Resonators).I have not yet gotten to chapters four and five (Polarization Optics and Propagation of Light in a Crystal respectively) as they go beyond my purposes.Bottom line is that if you need an in-depth, straightforward course in any of those four topics listed in chapters 2 - 5and that without a lot of extraneous material this is the book for you.

Enough

Had just about the information a needed. It could have a little bit more examples for a more clear approach. It was pretty useful.

Great if you are more interested in the math than the physics of optics
I really liked this book, but then my needs are probably different from the other two reviewers. I was looking for a book that concentrated on the mathematics of optics. Specifically I needed something that would show, given point A and a particular optical system, where would the translated version point B occur, and how could I express this in simple mathematical terms. My need was having a good book on the mathematics of optics without the need to wade through the details of the EM theory of Hecht, which if you are into pure optics, is an essential book. However, I am a computer scientist writing code to simulate optical effects rather than a physicist.

If you are interested in the mathematics of light, I can't think of a better reference. It even begins with a review of matrix algebra in case you are a bit rusty on the subject. It then applies matrix methods to paraxial rays through a cascadeof lenses using the Jones transfer matrix approach.The book then covers optical resonators for lasers with Gaussian beams, followed by a chapter on polarization effects using the Muller matrix approach. If you don't already know the background material, chapter four on the polarization of light and the Stokes equations can be rough going. The Jones and Muller matrix calculations are derived in the appendix.The math in this book is well presented, but there is little indication of where you are going with this material in the grand scheme of things.

Pretty boring and disorganized
If you are already involved in optical computations, but have forgotten some fundamental tricks, this book is for you.As a trainer or reference it is difficult and obtuse.It is a string of mathematical methods linked together by math relationships rather than application to optic relationships.It was not of much help.

However, it is very inexpensive in the paperback form.You get what you pay for I guess.

A Bit Antique, But An Excellent Orientation
This book is very inexpensive (thanks again, Dover), and talks about all sorts of matrix methods in optics: ABCD matrices for paraxial ray tracing, Jones matrices, coherency matrices, and Stokes parameters for polarization,among other things.

It's not a terribly deep book, but it is readable,lucid, and complete.It got me up to speed rapidly on an area I was fuzzyin, so for well under twenty simoleons, it's a great bargain. ... Read more

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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

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Lectures on Light: Nonlinear and Quantum Optics using the Density Matrix attempts to bridge in one step the enormous gap between introductory quantum mechanics and the research front of modern optics and scientific fields that make use of light.Hence, while it is suitable as a reference for the specialist in quantum optics, it will also be useful to the non-specialists from other disciplines who need to understand light and its uses in research.With a unique approach it introduces a single analytic tool, namely the density matrix, to analyze complex optical phenomena encountered in traditional as well as cross-disciplinary research.It moves swiftly in a tight sequence from elementary to sophisticated topics in quantum optics, including laser tweezers, laser cooling, coherent population transfer, optical magnetism, electromagnetically-induced transparency, squeezed light, and cavity quantum electrodynamics.A systematic approach is used that starts with the simplest systems - stationary two-level atoms - then introduces atomic motion, adds more energy levels, and moves on to discuss first-, second-, and third-order coherence effects that are the basis for analyzing new optical phenomena in incompletely characterized systems.

Unconventional examples and original problems are used to engage even seasoned researchers in exploring a mathematical methodology with which they can tackle virtually any new problem involving light.An extensive bibliography makes connections with mathematical techniques and subject areas which can extend the benefit readers gain from each section.

To identify techniques and ideas that are universal enough to be applied across the bewildering landscape of research on intersecting boundaries of emerging modern disciplines is a great challenge. This book offers selected insights on quantum dynamics and quantum theory of light for exactly this purpose. ... Read more

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Among these letters there has occasionally been one though rarely in which the writer objected to this series for the reason that he was “on the other side” of the great issue which shook the nation to the centre of its being for four years. ... Read more

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The Young Lieutenant - or, The Adventures of an Army Officer is presented here in a high quality paperback edition. This popular classic work by Oliver Optic is in the English language. If you enjoy the works of Oliver Optic then we highly recommend this publication for your book collection. ... Read more

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The world’s insatiable consumption of energy must be met with new technologies that offer alternative, environmentally conscious sources of light and power. The relatively young field of nonimaging optics is an ideal tool for designing optimized solar energy collectors and illumination optics and holds great promise in the development of solid state lighting applications.

Introduction to Nonimaging Optics provides the first entry-level resource on this rapidly developing field. The book is divided into two sections: the first one deals with nonimaging optics—its main concepts and design methods. The second summarizes general concepts, including rays and wave fronts, reflection and refraction, and symmetry. The author makes a point to relate nonimaging to other popular fields, such as thermodynamics, radiometry, photometry radiation heat transfer and classical mechanics. He also provides useful examples at the end of each chapter.

Introduction to Nonimaging optics invites newcomers to explore a growing field and delivers a comprehensive reference to those already working in optics, illumination engineering or solar energy collection and concentration. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Watching Light Bounce
I was looking for information on how light is reflected by different shapes and surfaces. "Introduction to nonimaging optics" by Julio Chaves provided all that and more as an up-to-date compendium of the most authoritative research in this relatively new/emerging field.

This book provides an exhaustive theoretical exploration of "nonimaging" systems (ie. where there is no object image formed, but there is merely a source of light, an optic to bounce around the light, and a receiver.)

It is difficult to visualize how invisible light bounces around differently configured systems. The book does a remarkably good job depicting many examples of how this happens. The book uses many nicely drawn diagrams and visualizations.

The first section of the book is described as covering main concepts and designs. This is relatively easy reading at a level of high school or entry-level college physics. The second section of the book delves deeper into rays, waves and the appearance of integrals and equations is evident. The second section of the book is a challenging read as it takes the reader well beyond an introduction.

For me, it would be of great practical benefit to see more real world images as well - perhaps photos of systems utilizing these techniques.

I was looking to use mirrors for reflecting and concentrating light in solar energy systems. For my interests, this book provided answers and invaluable assistance in seeing how light bounces around optic systems. ... Read more

Product Description
This invaluable textbook serves two purposes. The first is to introduce some traditional topics such as matrix formalism of geometrical optics, wave propagation and diffraction, and some fundamental background on fourier optics. The second is to present the essentials of acousto-optics and electro-optics, and provide the students with experience in modeling the theory and applications using a commonly used software tool MATLAB[registered]. The book is based on the authors' own in-class lectures as well as researches in the area. ... Read more

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Since the publication of the second edition of Principles of Adaptive Optics, the developments and applications in this area have increased tremendously. Observatories are now producing outstanding science through adaptive optics technology; components, such as micromachined deformable mirrors and very low noise detectors, are revolutionizing the field; and the industrial and medical arenas are harnessing the capabilities of adaptive optics tools in free-space laser communications, laser-induced fusion, and retinal imaging.

Although the complexity of these applications has intensified, the principles essentially remain the same. Principles of Adaptive Optics, Third Edition offers a comprehensive guide to the systems, components, and processes of adaptive optics. It covers the principles used to extract information from beams of light and improve the performance of optical systems by correcting distortions and aberrations.

Condensing the vast array of literature into one accessible source, this edition incorporates recent developments and adds many new references. It discusses how the principles are applied to astronomical imaging systems, retinal imaging, and beam propagation systems. The book logically progresses from determining the sources of aberrations to designing and analyzing systems to describing major subsystems, such as wavefront sensors, correction devices, wavefront reconstruction, and real-time controls.

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Selected by the American Library Association's 'Choice' magazine as "best technical book", the first edition of this book soon established itself as the standard reference work on all aspects of photographic lenses and associated optical systems. This is unsurprising, as Sidney Ray provides a complete, comprehensive reference source for anyone wanting information on photographic lenses, from the student to the practitioner or specialist working with visual and digital media worldwide.

This third edition has been fully revised and expanded to include the rapid progress in the last decade in optical technology and advances in relevant electronic and digital forms of imaging. Every chapter has been revised and expanded using new figures and photographs as appropriate, as well as extended bibliographies. New chapters include details of filters, measurements from images and the optical systems of digital cameras. Details of electronic and digital imaging have been integrated throughout. More information is given on topics such as aspherics, diffractive optics, ED glasses, image stabilization, optical technology, video projection and new types of lenses.

A selection of the contents includes chapters on: optical theory, aberrations, auto focus, lens testing, depth of field, development of photographic lenses, general properties of lenses, wide-angle lenses, telephoto lenses, video lenses, viewfinder systems, camera movements, projection systems and 3-D systems.

Everything you need to know about still and moving image lenses in one handy volume
Be completely up-to-date with vital new information on optics for digital imagingBenefit from the expertise of this award-winning technical author

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Customer Reviews (2)

Everything you want sensibly to know on photographic optics
I have an older (second) edition of this book, and I use it regularily for reference. It is comprehensive and covers everything imaginable about photographic optics. It does skip basics and a reader without deeper prior knowlegde would do good, to read a solid optics book beforehand (the old books by Conrady are to be recommended). Mathematics is not overly complicated, highschool knowledge should be sufficient - but one can learn a lot from this book, even without going into the details of the formulae presented. Sidney Ray is a great teacher with a precise and clear language.

If I miss something, it is mainly all the specifics about digital imaging. At least the second edition is very thin on this... But it lays very solid foundations and serves as a venerable reference even in our digital imaging age. Applied Photographic Optics does not cover things like colour and the scope is very focused. So it is really not a substitute for a general optics or colour book (like Hunt's "The Reproduction of Colour").

For many readers the much shorter "The Photographic lens" by the same author might be a good and much cheaper alternative. But it won't go into detail as much and might leave the reader with the wish to learn more - then Applied Photographic Optics is the logical next step.

To my (limited) knowledge, there is no other current book, that could be a sensible alternative to this classic.

Expensive, but worth it when you need it
If you have an amateur interest in photographic optics, there are excellent books for a lot less money.But if you really need the most in-depth information in a wide range of detailed topics and applications, this one is well worth the price.Though for $150 you'd think they'd throw in a hard cover, wouldn't you? ... Read more

Product Description
The world of optics is a bewildering one.There are hundreds of models, variations, and specifications, never mind dozens of brands.Here in one book is an exact listing, in table format for ease-of-comparison shopping, for nearly every scope (rifle, shotgun, & pistol), binocular, spotting scope, red-dot sight, and laser rangefinder on the market--in other words, an optics digest similar in scope and value to Consumer Reports.All the models are depicted, and specifications such as magnification, tube diameter, size of objective and ocular, different cross hairs, and numerous other items are listed so you can compare brands easily.Both the recommended retail price and the estimated street price are given.The author also gives a rundown of the many different brands and variations of scope mounts that are on the market.An authoritative buyer's guide as well as articles on whatyou should look for when buying a rifle/pistol scope or binocular are given, including how to compare different brands and the most effective ways to glass for game.The entire book is illustrated with dozens and dozens of photos.It gives simple, practical advice on choosing optical gear that delivers good, dependable performance at the best possible price.All the information in this digest is presented in a uniform way, making it easy to analyze the tables.Rees shows how to choose the right model to fit your needs, then offers valuable, no-nonsense advice for using it afield.This is the most complete digest of hunting optics ever published. It includes detailed information on the following brands:Aimpoint, Aimshot, Alpen, BSA, Burris, Bushnell, Bausch & Lomb, C-More, Kahles, Leica, Leupold, Millett, Minox, Nightforce, Nikon, Pentax, Redfield, Remington, Schmidt & Bender, Sightron, Simmons, Springfield Armory, Steiner, Swarovski, Tasco, Trijicon, Ultra Dot , Weaver, and Zeiss. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Amazingly uninformative & chock full of da basics.
If you didn't know that an 8x56 scope provides a larger magnification and brighter image than a 6x26, this book is for you.

However, if you expected comprehensive product reviews or comparisons, fugedaboudit. Want to know whether a scope has 1/8MOA clickstops or 1/4MOA clickstops? Fugedaboudit. You will get tube diameter, magnification, ojective lens diameter, parralax adjustment, exit pupil diameter, eye relief, field of view @ 100 yd, length, weight, and MSRP.Who needs more information to decide whether the $2000 scope is really better than the $250, or more importantly, how the various scopes in the $250-600 range compare.

HELPFULL IF YOU ARE BUYING A SCOPE
I bought this book to compare the different products out on the market.I was mainly interested in a rifle scope, but the sections on binoculars and spotting scopes looked complete to me.What I got was a comparism of scope prices, features and specs.I felt this really helped in making my choice.THe scopes were divided into sections for varmit shooting, dangerous game etc.About the only thing I could say is that there are no street prices listed but admitedly this is tough to do because there always is a lower price out there.

All in all a great investment for below 25 bucks.

An opportunity missed
I bought the book as an aid to buying a rifle sight and perhaps a set of binoculars.I thought that it might consist of a series of product reviews - sort of best buy at this price, best buy at this (higher) price etc. It was not!
A series of articles discussing the reasons for good optics, binos and rangefinders/spotters was very interesting but this was followed by a somewhat out of date comparison chart of various scopes, binos and rangefinders etc.It was not all bad but the opportunity to produce a really cutting edge series of reviews was missed (in my opinion)Pity because the author obviously knows his stuff!
I could not honestly recommend this book as a way of selecting a scope but could recommend it as a book which would tell you about the reasons why you should have a good scope/binoculars or rangefinder/spotter.
Good in places but no cigar! ... Read more