This 1996 book is an expanded edition of one of the best known introductions to optical holography.

Progress in Optics

Diffraction: Coherence in Optics presents a detailed account of the course on Fraunhofer diffraction phenomena, studied at the Faculty of Science in Paris. The publication first elaborates on Huygens' principle and diffraction phenomena for a monochromatic point source and diffraction by an aperture of simple form. Discussions focus on diffraction at infinity and at a finite distance, simplified expressions for the field, calculation of the path difference, diffraction by a rectangular aperture, narrow slit, and circular aperture, and distribution of luminous flux in the airy spot. The book then examines Fourier transformation and diffraction by several apertures. The manuscript takes a look at extended luminous sources and objects and diffraction phenomena in perfect optical instruments. Topics include diffraction gratings, phase contrast, apodization, filtering spatial frequencies, relation between the length of wave trains and the spectral width of the emitted radiations, successive wave trains emitted by an atom, and vibrations with different frequencies from a single atom. The manuscript also reviews diffraction phenomena in real optical instruments, including diffraction in the case of a spherical wave and diffraction spot in the presence of aberrations. The publication is a dependable reference for readers interested in diffraction phenomena.

When Faraday performed the very first experiments on electromagnetic effects, which form the very foundation of modern civilization since virtually everything electrical utilizes them, he was asked of what use his experiments were. He is said to have replied: "What is the use of a baby?" That reply might also be given to those who asked what was the use of basic research which resulted in the development of the laser and holography. Brigadier General Leo A.Kiley, Commander, Office of Aerospace Research, USAF, in his remarks before the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers at the opening ceremony of the Seminar on Holography held at San Francisco, California, in May 1968, declared, "It has been said that in the twenty-first century at least half of the jobs that will exist then do not exist today. But be that as it may, I am sure that holography will be common place. " And later "Even in its embryonic state today, the concept of holography is providing real world applications to the scientific community and I feel that continued rapid growth can be predicted." Now, only three years after these statements, the development of holography is extraordinary on the scientific side and very promising from the point of view of proven and potential applica tions. Holography looks like an emerging technique, a valuable tool for engineers.

During the past few decades we have witnessed at least two major innovations in science which have had substantial impact on technology as well as science itself, pervasive enough to modify many facets of our daily lives. We refer, of course, to the tran sistor and the laser. It is striking that now with the advent of optical bistability we may have opened the door to another such field, which combines these two aspects (transistor and laser) and has the possibility for important device applications as well as providing a unique window into the as yet not thoroughly explored frontiers of nonequilibrium statistical physics. This has prompted us to organize an international conference on the subject of optical bistability to provide an adequate means for assessing the current state of the art of this important field and to stimulate further significant developments by means of in tense technical exchange and interaction among the leading scien tists in this subject area.

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.