The book is for readers who want to use model computational les for fast learning of the basics of optics. In the Second Edition, Matlab, Mathematica and Maples les have been added to the Mathcad les on the CD of the First Edition. The applications, given at the end of les to suggest different points of view on the subject, are extended to home work problems and are also on the CD of the Second Edition. While the book is suited well for self learning, it was written over several years for a one semester course in optics for juniors and seniors in science and engineering.Theapplicationsprovideasimulatedlaboratorywherestudentscan learn by exploration and discovery instead of passive absorption. The text covers all the standard topics of a traditional optics course, incl- ing: geometrical optics and aberration, interference and diffraction, coherence, Maxwell's equations, wave guides and propagating modes, blackbody radiation, atomic emission and lasers, optical properties of materials, Fourier transforms and FT spectroscopy, image formation, and holography. It contains step by step derivations of all basic formulas in geometrical and wave optics.
Reviews

Some praise for the previous edition:

OPTICS AND PHOTONICS NEWS [OCTOBER 2004]

"This book cover geometrical optics, electromagnetic theory, interference, diffraction and coherence theory. Chapters on optical constants, blackbody radiation, emission and absorption, lasers, holography and Fourier transform spectroscopy broaden its scope. The packet contains over 170 MathCAD files linked to specific topics and applications. ... [T]he main virtues of the book are the excellent photographs of basic optical phenomena. ... The index is comprehensive. ... [The book] will certainly be helpful to ... students in an introductory optics course."

THE PHYSICIST (March/April 2004)

"The author has developed a suite of model programs covering the whole spectrum of optics from classical geometric ray to wave and modern optics. Illustrative resonator and waveguide modes are also part of the program mix as well as introductory laser theory. In addition to an optics course, this book would be useful in a 3rd or 4th year electromagnetism course as well as an introduction to lasers and resonators. There are certainly more topics in this text than could possibly be covered in the typical 30 hour one semester course. ... All formulas and diagrams are provided in Adobe .pdf files as well for transcription into other software suites or inclusion in notes. This book is a comprehensive optics text that has been written in a mode to encourage students to run the models, do the calculations and generate their own illustrations. ... The book would serve as an excellent text for undergraduate use and reference for laboratory simulation experiments."

From the reviews of the second edition:

"Moeller (physics, NJIT) presents introductory-level coverage of the basics in optics and provides model computational files for simulation of the governing laws. ... Selected classical textbook references are listed at the end of the book. Summing Up:Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates." (O. Eknoyan, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (6), 2008)

"In this book Moeller presents an impressive procedure of studying optics using the computer through the packages of Algebraic Computation. ... It is very well written. ... I believe that a dedicated professor could use this book to design physics projects with his interested students. It would be a pleasure for both." (Everton Murilo C. Abreu, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2009 c)

"The book is aimed at readers who want to learn the basics of optics by using model computations. Step by step all basic formulas in geometrical, wave and Fourier optics are derived and supplemented by programs to solve a particular problem linked to a topic in optics or some application. ... The book is intended for a one semester introductory optics course, but also suitable for self-learning by scientists or engineers who would like to refresh their knowledge of optics." (Gunther Schmidt, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1179, 2010)

Book Information
ISBN 9781489987396
Author Karl Dieter Moeller
Format Paperback
Page Count 455
Imprint Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Publisher Springer-Verlag New York Inc.