Based on a course offered at Moscow State University, this text comprehensively presents the fundamentals of modern physical optics. The concepts of classical and quantum radiation theories, nonlinear physics, statistics, and Fourier transformations are shown to form the bedrock of modern optics and optical physics. Subjects include lasers, nonlinear optics, optical spectroscopy, and optical fields. The material is much more topical than that in conventional textbooks, and it provides a picture of physical optics as an expert would see it, but in a form accessible to a student.

"Blurb & Contents" The wave optics of ultrashort pulses--an area experiencing rapid growth--is closely scrutinized in this completely up-to-date survey, which emphasizes new problems connected with the propagation of the shortest possible pulses. You'll find a presentation of the principles of the Fourier optics of short wave packets propagating in linear dispersive media. Discusses the development of femtosecond laser systems along with the feasibility of controlling pulse shape. Contents: Short Optical Pulses in Linear Dispersive Media. Self-action of Optical Pulses; Self-modulation,...