Laser physics and nonlinear optics are fields which have been intimately con nected from their beginning. Nonlinear optical effects such as second-har monic generation fulfil vital functions in many laser systems. Conversely advances in laser development quickly lead to progress in nonlinear optics. Of particular importance has been the development of tunable visible and uv lasers. With the ability to tune the laser frequency into close resonance with atomic transition frequencies, one can produce a large resonance en hancement of the nonlinearity. This permits the observation of a great var iety of nonlinear optical processes in dilute media such as atomic vapours. In recent years much of the research effort in nonlinear optics has been directed towards the use of such media, and it is this area which forms the subject of the present book. We review a wide range of nonlinear optical processes in atomic vapours, molecular gases and cryogenic liquids. At the same time we have tried to treat the subject in sufficient depth to be useful to research workers in the field. To achieve this, a measure of selectivity has been introduced by emphasising those nonlinear processes which are seen to have applications as sources of tunable coherent radiation. Thus we have not discussed in any detail those nonlinear processes whose main applications are in spec troscopy, such as Doppler-free two-photon absorption.

Laser physics and nonlinear optics are fields which have been intimately con nected from their beginning. Nonlinear optical effects such as second-har monic generation fulfil vital functions in many laser systems. Conversely advances in laser development quickly lead to progress in nonlinear optics. Of particular importance has been the development of tunable visible and uv lasers. With the ability to tune the laser frequency into close resonance with atomic transition frequencies, one can produce a large resonance en hancement of the nonlinearity. This permits the observation of a great var iety of nonlinear optical processes in dilute media such as atomic vapours. In recent years much of the research effort in nonlinear optics has been directed towards the use of such media, and it is this area which forms the subject of the present book. We review a wide range of nonlinear optical processes in atomic vapours, molecular gases and cryogenic liquids. At the same time we have tried to treat the subject in sufficient depth to be useful to research workers in the field. To achieve this, a measure of selectivity has been introduced by emphasising those nonlinear processes which are seen to have applications as sources of tunable coherent radiation. Thus we have not discussed in any detail those nonlinear processes whose main applications are in spec troscopy, such as Doppler-free two-photon absorption.

This book draws together the principal ideas that form the basis of atomic, molecular, and optical science and engineering. It covers the basics of atoms, diatomic molecules, atoms and molecules in static and electromagnetic fields and nonlinear optics. Exercises and bibliographies supplement each chapter, while several appendices present such important background information as physics and math definitions, atomic and molecular data, and tensor algebra. Accessible to advanced undergraduates, graduate students, or researchers who have been trained in one of the conventional curricula of physics, chemistry, or engineering but who need to acquire familiarity with adjacent areas in order to pursue their research goals.

Paolo Ulivi and David Harland provide in Robotic Exploration of the Solar System a detailed history of unmanned missions of exploration of our Solar System. The subject is treated from an engineering and scientific standpoint. Technical descriptions of the spacecraft, of their mission designs and of instrumentations are provided. Scientific results are discussed in considerable depth, together with details of mission management. The project will deliver four volumes totaling over 2,000 pages that will provide comprehensive coverage of the topic with thousands of references to the professional literature that should make it the 'first port of call' for people seeking information on the topic. The books will cover missions from the 1950s until the present day, and some of the latest missions and their results will appear in a popular science book for the first time.

The aim of this brief is to present, in sufficient detail, a non-perturbative technique for calculating optical hyperpolarizabilities. The ability to efficiently compute hyperpolarizabilities, for a variety of different molecular systems, makes this brief invaluable for those engaged in the computational design of new electro-optical materials. The resulting computation is very predictable and suitable for automation, in contrast to perturbative methods that typically rely on iterative methods. The methodology which is wholly applicable to atoms, molecules, clusters (and with some modifications) to condensed matter, is described and illustrated at a level that is accessible to theoreticians and supplemented with details that should be of interest to practitioners.