This book describes both theoretical and experimental aspects of optical soliton generation and of soliton properties. The basic theory of soliton generation in fiber is described, numerical studies of nonlinear propagation effects in fibers are considered, as well as soliton-soliton interactions, the effects of high order dispersion and birefringence on soliton propagation as well as limiting effects of femtosecond soliton generation. Technical aspects are concerned with long distance transmission systems and the implementation of high bit rate semiconductor laser based soliton systems in...

This book provides a throrough introduction to the interaction of atoms and atomic ions with optical and magnetic fields. The author places particular emphasis on the wealth of important multilevel effects, where atomic vapors exhibit anisotropic behavior. As well as covering the classic two-level atom approach to light-atom interactions, Suter describes in detail a general multilevel formalism, which he uses to discuss optical pumping, two-dimensional spectroscopy and nonlinear optical dynamics. The final chapter deals with the mechanical effects of light, including the cooling and trapping...

This is the first book to provide a thorough and systematic description of the entire subject of particle field holography. The use of holography to study very small objects in a dynamic volume is a technique of importance for scientists and engineers across a variety of disciplines for obtaining information about the size, shape and velocity of small objects such as dust particles, fuel droplets, raindrops, pollen, bubbles, etc.

Modern optical techniques have a huge range of potential applications in signal processing and in the interconnection of digital computing systems. This book provides a detailed review of the key issues that must be addressed in the design, evaluation, and implementation of practical systems for signal processing and optical interconnection. Articles consider in detail such topics as the computer modeling of optical design limitations, the size and noise characteristics of optical modulators, and the relative merits of free-space and guided-wave optical technology in different processing...

The scientific and technological importance of lasers has generated great interest in the field of cavity nonlinear optics. This book provides a thorough description of this subject in terms of modern dynamical systems theory, with an emphasis on deriving analytical results and highlighting their physical significance. The book applies physical models for active and passive cavities to a variety of problems in laser theory, optical bistability and parametric oscillators. Subjects include scaling laws, Hopf bifurcations, passive Q-switching, and Turing instabilities. Several of the topics...

Low-dimensional semiconductor structures, often referred to as nanocrystals or quantum dots, exhibit fascinating behavior and have a multitude of potential applications, especially in the field of communications. This book examines in detail the optical properties of these structures, gives full coverage of theoretical and experimental results, and discusses their technological applications. The author begins by setting out the basic physics of electron states in crystals (adopting a "cluster-to-crystal" approach), and goes on to discuss the growth of nanocrystals, absorption and emission of...

Quantum mechanics sets fundamental limits on the amount of information one can extract from a system with a single set of measurements. Recent results of new theoretical analyses and optical experiments have given rise to a more complete knowledge of the quantum properties of light. This book gives the first detailed description of this fascinating branch of quantum optics. The author describes some key results and tools from quantum optics and then discusses the quantum mechanical description of simple optical instruments before giving a detailed treatment of quantum tomography. The book...

This book discusses ultrafast optical switching devices and systems, which operate at speeds beyond those of normal electronics. Both fundamental physics and engineering applications are treated, and the book provides a complete LOGOUT of some of the key research issues and approaches.

This book describes techniques used to predict the quality of images formed by optical systems, such as telescopes, camera lenses, and microscope objectives. It covers in detail how the ray and wave pictures of lens behavior can be combined and developed to produce a theory capable of dealing with the large angles encountered in real optical systems. Several applications are considered, including the propagation of a Gaussian beam along a skew ray, a clear and convincing demonstration that diffractive optical elements are subject to the same fundamental limitation as conventional lenses, a...

This book describes the Fabry-Perot interferometer and its variants as well as its use, optimisation and applications. The author begins with an historical perspective on the development of the instrument. Because of the quantitative uses of the device, the text tends to be mostly mathematical in its treatment. However, there is also much practical detail on the use and optimization of the Fabry-Perot interferometer and discussion of its classical uses (such as in metrology) and its contemporary applications (such as in lasers). In addition the book contains a comprehensive bibliography...