The invention of the laser in 1960 provided mankind with a unique source of light, which is highly directional, spectrally pure and extremely bright. The development of such a unique source of light ushered in a large number of applications in many diverse areas such as communications, medicine, defence, etc. Besides, lasers have found numerous commercial uses and the number of such applications is still rising. Today, light wave communication using hair-thin optical fibers of glass has truly revolutionised communication and has been primarily responsible for the Internet explosion. Salient Features " An introductory, easy-to-understand and purely non-mathematical text "Covers state-of-the-art developments in the field of fiber optics - fiber amplifiers, dispersion compensation and non-linear effects "Discusses basics of lasers with emphasis on special properties and applications "Adopts an application-oriented approach applications explained with interesting illustrations "Provides examples and comparisons from day-to-day experience, wherever feasible, to make readers understand by correlation of known facts The book is designed to serve as a popular reference on fiber optics and lasers. It will not only interest general readers and students, but will also serve as a useful reference to working professionals in the field of lasers and fiber-optic communication system.

Within the past few decades, information technologies have been evolving at a tremendous rate, causing profound changes to our world and our ways of life. In particular, fiber optics has been playing an increasingly crucial role within the telecommunication revolution. Not only most long-distance links are fiber based, but optical fibers are increasingly approaching the individual end users, providing wide bandwidth links to support all kinds of data-intensive applications such as video, voice, and data services. As an engineering discipline, fiber optics is both fascinating and challenging. Fiber optics is an area that incorporates elements from a wide range of techno- gies including optics, microelectronics, quantum electronics, semiconductors, and networking. As a result of rapid changes in almost all of these areas, fiber optics is a fast evolving field. Therefore, the need for up-to-date texts that address this growing field from an interdisciplinary perspective persists. This book presents an overview of fiber optics from a practical, engineering perspective. Therefore, in addition to topics such as lasers, detectors, and optical fibers, several topics related to electronic circuits that generate, detect, and process the optical signals are covered. In other words, this book attempts to present fiber optics not so much in terms of a field of “optics” but more from the perspective of an engineering field within “optoelectronics.

The Rewiring of America: The Fiber Optics Revolution provides a comprehensive discussion on the progression of fiber optics technology in America. The book discusses several issues concerning the introduction of fiber optics, such as its history, the initial reaction of the public, applications, and possible future of the technology. The text first tackles the essential issues, specifically the history of fiber optics such as its birth, introduction to the public, popular opinions, and the challenges of its implementation. The book explains how several telecommunication corporations use such technology to its full potential to improve their services. Other industries such as computing and the military, which were exploring fiber optics, are also discussed along with applications to different fields, such as medicine, entertainment, transportation, and space exploration. The text also discusses the future of fiber optics, especially the role it will play in American society. The book will be of great use to any readers who are interested in information technology, communication engineering, and similar fields, especially those who are interested in American technology.

Textbook on the physical principles of optical fibers - for advanced undergraduates and graduates in physics or electrical engineering.

Optical science and engineering affect almost every aspect of our lives. Millions of miles of optical fiber carry voice and data signals around the world. Lasers are used in surgery of the retina, kidneys, and heart. New high-efficiency light sources promise dramatic reductions in electricity consumption. Night-vision equipment and satellite surveillance are changing how wars are fought. Industry uses optical methods in everything from the production of computer chips to the construction of tunnels. Harnessing Light surveys this multitude of applications, as well as the status of the optics industry and of research and education in optics, and identifies actions that could enhance the field's contributions to society and facilitate its continued technical development.

This text presents the history of the development of fibre optic technology, explaining the scientific challenges that needed to be overcome, the range of applications and future potential for this fundamental communications technology.

An introduction to photonics and lasers that does not rely on complex mathematics This book evolved from a series of courses developed by the author and taught in the areas of lasers and photonics. This thoroughly classroom-tested work fills a unique need for students, instructors, and industry professionals in search of an introductory-level book that covers a wide range of topics in these areas. Comparable books tend to be aimed either too high or too low, or they cover only a portion of the topics that are needed for a comprehensive treatment. Photonics and Lasers is divided into four parts: * Propagation of Light * Generation and Detection of Light * Laser Light * Light-Based Communication The author has ensured that complex mathematics does not become an obstacle to understanding key physical concepts. Physical arguments and explanations are clearly set forth while, at the same time, sufficient mathematical detail is provided for a quantitative understanding. As an additional aid to readers who are learning to think symbolically, some equations are expressed in words as well as symbols. Problem sets are provided throughout the book for readers to test their knowledge and grasp of key concepts. A solutions manual is also available for instructors. Finally, the detailed bibliography leads readers to in-depth explorations of particular topics. The book's topics, lasers and photonics, are often treated separately in other texts; however, the author skillfully demonstrates their natural synergy. Because of the combined coverage, this text can be used for a two-semester course or a one-semester course emphasizing either lasers or photonics. This is a perfect introductory textbook for both undergraduate and graduate students, additionally serving as a practical reference for engineers in telecommunications, optics, and laser electronics.