Astrophotonics is the application of photonics to astronomical instrumentation. It is a rapidly developing field that takes a new approach to instrumentation, in which the bulk optics of traditional instruments, such as lenses, mirrors, and diffraction gratings, are replaced with devices embedded within waveguides. This enables instruments that are smaller, modular, more stable, and most excitingly, with optical capabilities not possible with traditional instruments.Astrophotonics has reached a stage of development where many prototype devices are now being tested on sky, and the first fully-fledged instruments incorporating photonic devices are now being used for observations. The field is thus transitioning from one of instrumental research and development to mainstream observational astrophysics.This is the first book focussed on astrophotonics, written by three experts in the field. Beginning with a sound introduction to the basic principles of astrophotonics, it is intended to communicate the current status, potential, and future possibilities of astrophotonics to the wider astronomical, optics and photonics communities.

"Astrophotonics is the application of photonics to astronomical instrumentation. This rapidly developing field is a new approach to instrumentation in which the bulk optics of traditional instruments, such as lenses, mirrors, and diffraction gratings are replaced with devices embedded within waveguides. This enables instruments that are smaller, modular, more stable, and most excitingly, with optical capabilities not possible with traditional instruments. Astrophotonics has reached a stage of development where many prototype devices are now being tested on sky, and the first fully-fledged instruments incorporating photonic devices are now being used for observations. The field is thus transitioning from one of instrumental research and development to mainstream observational astrophysics. This is the first book focused on astrophotonics, written by three experts in the field. Beginning with a sound introduction to the basic principles of astrophotonics, it is intended to communicate the current status, potential, and future possibilities of astrophotonics to the wider astronomical, optics and photonics communities"--

Offering practical advice on a range of wavelengths, this highly accessible and self-contained book presents a broad overview of astronomical instrumentation, techniques, and tools. Drawing on the notes and lessons of the authors’ established graduate course, the text reviews basic concepts in astrophysics, spectroscopy, and signal analysis. It includes illustrative problems and case studies and aims to provide readers with a toolbox for observational capabilities across the electromagnetic spectrum and the knowledge to understand which tools are best suited to different observations. It is an ideal guide for undergraduates and graduates studying astronomy. Features: Presents a self-contained account of a highly complex subject. Offers practical advice and instruction on a wide range of wavelengths and tools. Includes case studies and problems for further learning opportunities.

Written by well-known scientists in the field with vast experience in teaching astrophotonics, this is the first book to bridge astronomy and photonics for the benefit of developing new astronomical instrumentation. The textbook is clearly structured and covers four main methods relevant to observational astronomy: adaptive optics, photometry, interferometry and spectroscopy. It follows a progressive didactical path in photonics, starting from fundamentals of wave- and micro-optics and developing step-by-step the formalisms required for the treatment of optical multilayers, fiber optics and diffraction/holographic gratings. This approach allows students with a physics/engineering background to learn about the problematic of observational astronomy, while, conversely, students of astronomy are exposed to topics in modern photonics. Each chapter is divided into three main sections devoted to the discussion of astronomical concepts required to size an instrument designed for the particular method, the photonic concepts that most suit that instrument, and an analysis of existing, related photonic instruments. A set of exercises and a bibliography complete each chapter. Appendices include a short review of fundamentals of wave optics and photon detectors, plus an overview of project design and management using a real-life example of an astronomical instrumentation project. With its review of the latest instrumentation and techniques, this is invaluable for graduate and post-graduate students in astronomy, physics and optical engineering.

Offering practical advice on a range of wavelengths, this highly accessible and self-contained book presents a broad overview of astronomical instrumentation, techniques, and tools. Drawing on the notes and lessons of the authors' established graduate course, the text reviews basic concepts in astrophysics, spectroscopy, and signal analysis. It includes illustrative problems and case studies and aims to provide readers with a toolbox for observational capabilities across the electromagnetic spectrum and the knowledge to understand which tools are best suited to different observations. It is an ideal guide for undergraduates and graduates studying astronomy. Features: Presents a self-contained account of a highly complex subject. Offers practical advice and instruction on a wide range of wavelengths and tools. Includes case studies and problems for further learning opportunities.

This textbook provides an introduction to gravitational lensing, which has become an invaluable tool in modern astrophysics, with applications that range from finding planets orbiting distant stars to understanding how dark matter and dark energy conspired to form the cosmic structures we see today. Principles of Gravitational Lensing begins with Einstein’s prediction that gravity bends light, and shows how that fundamental idea has spawned a rich field of study over the past century. The gravitational deflection of light was first detected by Eddington during a solar eclipse in May 1919, launching Einstein and his theory of relativity into public view. Yet the possibility of using the phenomenon to unlock mysteries of the Universe seemed remote, given the technology of the day. Theoretical work was carried out sporadically over the next six decades, but only with the discovery of the system Q0957+561 in 1979 was gravitational lensing transformed from a curiosity of general relativity into a practical observational tool. This book describes how the three subfields known as strong lensing, weak lensing, and microlensing have grown independently but become increasingly intertwined. Drawing on their research experience, Congdon and Keeton begin with the basic physics of light bending, then present the mathematical foundations of gravitational lensing, building up to current research topics in a clear and systematic way. Relevant background material from physics and mathematics is included, making the book self-contained. The derivations and explanations are supplemented by exercises designed to help students master the theoretical concepts as well as the methods that drive current research. An extensive bibliography guides those wishing to delve more deeply into particular areas of interest. Principles of Gravitational Lensing is ideal for advanced students and seasoned researchers looking to penetrate this thriving subject and even contribute research of their own.

What is a plasmon? Is it a particle, like a photon or a wave? Plasmonics stands at the frontier of condensed matter physics, which is the world of electrons, optics and of photons. Plasmonics is one of the most active fields in nanophotonics. This book begins by exploring the concepts behind waves, and the electromagnetic description of light when it interacts with metals; it dedicates every chapter thereafter to all aspects of plasmonics. In particular, the surface plasmon polariton wave is explained in full detail, as well as the localized surface plasmon resonance of metallic nanoparticles. The active research area opened by plasmonics, as well as its applications, are also briefly explained, such as advanced biosensing, subwavelength waveguiding, quantum plasmonics, nanoparticle-based cancer therapies, optical nano-antenna and high-efficiency photovoltaic cells.The book is adapted for graduate students and places a special emphasis on providing complete explanations of the fundamental concepts of plasmonics. Further, each of these concepts is illustrated with examples drawn from the most recent scientific literature. Each chapter ends with a set of exercises that will help the reader revise the concepts and go deeper into the world of plasmonics. More than 70 exercises are included.