Laser physics Books

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Book SynopsisBeam is the story of the race to make the laser, the three intense years from the birth of the laser idea to its breakthrough demonstration in a California laboratory. The quest was a struggle against physics, established wisdom, and the establishment itself. In 1954, Charles Townes invented the laser''s microwave cousin, the maser. The next logical step was to extend the same physical principles to the shorter wavelengths of light, but the idea did not catch fire until October 1957, when Townes asked Gordon Gould about Gould''s research on using light to excite thallium atoms. Each took the idea and ran with it. The independent-minded Gould sought the fortune of an independent inventor; the professorial Townes sought the fame of scientific recognition. Townes enlisted the help of his brother-in-law, Arthur Schawlow, and got Bell Labs into the race. Gould turned his ideas into a patent borth ation and a million-dollar defense contract. They soon had company. Ali Javan, one of Townes''Trade ReviewHecht tells the story of the several competing laboratories that were attempting in the late 1950s to use the phenomenon of simulated emisson to produce a coherent and monochromatic light source. The story is interesting in its own right, both to physicists and engineers interested in the intellectual climate of the time and to the general public as an example of excitement and competition within the scientific community. * CHOICE *Table of ContentsPREFACE; PROLOGUE; DRAMATIS PERSONAE; SOURCES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX

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Book SynopsisA comprehensive guide to a new technology for enabling high-performance spectroscopy and laser sources Resonance Enhancement in Laser-Produced Plasmasoffers a guide to the most recent findings in the newly emerged field of resonance-enhanced high-order harmonic generation using the laser pulses propagating through the narrow and extended laser-produced plasma plumes. The authora noted expert in the fieldpresents an introduction and the theory that underpin the roles of resonances in harmonic generation. The book also contains a review of the most advanced methods of plasma harmonics generation at the conditions of coincidence of some harmonics, autoionizing states, and some ionic transitions possessing strong oscillator strengths. Comprehensive in scope, this text clearly demonstrates the importance of resonance-enhanced nonlinear optical effects leading to formation of efficient sources of coherent extreme ultraviolet radiation that can be practically apTable of ContentsPreface xiii 1 High-Order Harmonic Studies of the Role of Resonances on the Temporal and Efficiency Characteristics of Converted Coherent Pulses: Different Approaches 1 1.1 Resonance Harmonic Generation in Gases:Theory and Experiment 1 1.2 Role of Resonances in Plasma Harmonic Experiments: Intensity and Temporal Characterization of Harmonics 9 References 13 2 Different Theoretical Approaches in Plasma HHG Studies at Resonance Conditions 17 2.1 Comparative Analysis of the High-Order Harmonic Generation in the Laser Ablation Plasmas Prepared on the Surfaces of Complex and Atomic Targets 18 2.2 Nonperturbative HHG in Indium Plasma: Theory of Resonant Recombination 22 2.2.1 Principles ofTheory 22 2.2.2 Discussion 24 2.2.3 Important Consequences 27 2.3 Simulation of Resonant High-Order Harmonic Generation in Three-Dimensional Fullerenelike System by Means of Multiconfigurational Time-Dependent Hartree–Fock Approach 29 2.3.1 Basics of the Nonlinear Optical Studies of Fullerenes 29 2.3.2 Simulations and Discussion 32 2.4 Endohedral Fullerenes: AWay to Control Resonant HHG 35 2.4.1 Theoretical Approach and Details of Computation 37 2.4.2 Results of Simulations and Discussion 39 References 43 3 Comparison of Resonance Harmonics: Experiment and Theory 47 3.1 Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Two-Color Pump Resonance-Induced Enhancement of Odd and Even Harmonics from a Tin Plasma 47 3.1.1 Experimental Studies 48 3.1.2 Theoretical Approach 52 3.2 Comparative Studies of Resonance Enhancement of Harmonic Radiation in Indium Plasma Using Multicycle and Few-Cycle Pulses 58 3.2.1 Introduction 58 3.2.2 Indium Emission Spectra in the Cases of 40 and 3.5 fs Driving Pulses 60 3.2.3 Testing the Indium Emission Spectra Obtained Using 3.5 fs Pulses 64 3.2.4 Theoretical Consideration of the Microscopic Response 67 3.2.5 Experimental Studies of Harmonic Yield on the CEP of Laser Pulse 70 3.2.6 Discussion 73 3.3 Indium Plasma in the Single- and Two-Color Near-Infrared Fields:Enhancement of Tunable Harmonics 76 3.3.1 Description of Problem 76 3.3.2 Experimental Arrangements for HHG in Indium Plasma Using Tunable NIR Pulses 77 3.3.3 Experimental Studies of the Resonance Enhancement of NIR-Induced Harmonics in the Indium Plasma 80 3.3.4 Theory of the Process 86 3.3.5 Discussion and Comparison ofTheory and Experiment 91 3.4 Resonance Enhancement of Harmonics in Laser-Produced Zn II and Zn III Containing Plasmas Using Tunable Near-Infrared Pulses 95 3.4.1 Single- and Two-Color Pumps of Zinc Plasma 95 3.4.2 Modification of Harmonic Spectra at Excitation of Neutrals and Doubly Charged Ions of Zn 97 3.4.3 Peculiarities of HHG in Zinc Plasma Using Tunable Pulses 100 3.5 Application of Tunable NIR Radiation for Resonance Enhancement of Harmonics in Tin, Antimony, and Chromium Plasmas 105 3.5.1 Experimental Results 105 3.5.2 Theoretical Analysis of Resonance-Enhanced Harmonic Spectra from Sn, Sb, and Cr Plasmas 113 3.5.3 Discussion 118 3.6 Model of Resonant High Harmonic Generation in Multi-Electron Systems 120 3.6.1 Theory 121 3.6.2 Calculations 127 3.6.3 Experiment 131 References 134 4 Resonance Enhancement of Harmonics in Metal-Ablated Plasmas: Early Studies 139 4.1 Indium Plasma: Ideal Source for Strong Single Enhanced Harmonic 139 4.1.1 Strong Resonance Enhancement of Single Harmonic Generated in Extreme Ultraviolet Range 139 4.1.2 Chirp-Induced Enhancement of Harmonic Generation from Indium-Containing Plasmas 143 4.1.2.1 Preparation of the Optimal Plasmas 145 4.1.2.2 Optimization of High Harmonic Generation 148 4.1.2.3 Chirp Control 150 4.1.2.4 Discussion 152 4.2 Harmonic Generation from Different Metal Plasmas 158 4.2.1 Chromium Plasma: Sample for Enhancement and Suppression of Harmonics 158 4.2.2 Studies of Resonance-Induced Single Harmonic Enhancement in Manganese, Tin, Antimony, and Chromium Plasmas 161 4.2.2.1 Manganese Plasma 162 4.2.2.2 Chromium Plasma 164 4.2.2.3 Antimony Plasma 167 4.2.2.4 Tin Plasma 169 4.2.2.5 Discussion of Harmonic Enhancement 170 4.2.3 Enhancement of High Harmonics from Plasmas Using Two-Color Pump and Chirp Variation of 1 kHz Ti:Sapphire Laser Pulses 172 4.2.3.1 Advances in Using High Pulse Repetition Source for HHG in Plasmas 172 4.2.3.2 Comparison of Plasmas Allowing Generation of Featureless and Resonance-Enhanced HHG Spectra 173 4.2.3.3 Discussion 179 4.3 Peculiarities of Resonant and Nonresonant Harmonics Generating in Laser-Produced Plasmas 181 4.3.1 Spatial Coherence Measurements of Nonresonant and Resonant High-Order Harmonics Generated in Different Plasmas 181 4.3.1.1 Introduction 181 4.3.1.2 Measurements of the Spatial Coherence of Harmonics 182 4.3.2 Demonstration of the 101st Harmonic Generation from Laser-Produced Manganese Plasma 188 4.3.2.1 Low Cutoffs from Plasma Harmonics 188 4.3.2.2 Experimental Arrangements and Initial Research 189 4.3.2.3 Analysis of Cutoff Extension 193 4.3.3 Isolated Subfemtosecond XUV Pulse Generation in Mn Plasma Ablation 198 4.3.3.1 Application of a Few-Cycle Pulses for Harmonic Generation in Plasmas: Experiments with Manganese Plasma 198 4.3.3.2 Theoretical Calculations and Discussion 202 References 207 5 Resonance Processes in Ablated Semiconductors 213 5.1 High-Order Harmonic Generation During Propagation of Femtosecond PulsesThrough the Laser-Produced Plasmas of Semiconductors 215 5.1.1 Optimization of HHG 215 5.1.2 Resonance-Induced Enhancement of Harmonics 217 5.1.3 Two-Color Pump 219 5.1.4 Quasi-Phase-Matching 221 5.1.5 Properties of Semiconductor Plasmas 224 5.1.6 Harmonic Cutoffs 225 5.2 27th Harmonic Enhancement by Controlling the Chirp of the Driving Laser Pulse During High-Order Harmonic Generation in GaAs and Te Plasmas 226 5.2.1 Optimization of HHG in GaAs Plasma 227 5.2.2 Variation of the Chirp of Femtosecond Pulses 230 5.2.3 Observation of Single-Harmonic Enhancement Due to Quasi-Resonance with the Tellurium Ion Transition at 29.44 nm 233 5.3 Resonance Enhanced Twenty-First Harmonic Generation in the Laser-Ablation Antimony Plume at 37.67 nm 236 References 239 6 Resonance Processes at Different Conditions of Harmonic Generation in Laser-Produced Plasmas 241 6.1 Application of Picosecond Pulses for HHG 241 6.1.1 High-Order Harmonic Generation of Picosecond Laser Radiation in Carbon-Containing Plasmas 242 6.1.1.1 Experimental Arrangements and Results 242 6.1.1.2 Discussion 250 6.1.2 Resonance Enhancement of the 11th Harmonic of 1064 nm Picosecond Radiation Generating in the Lead Plasma 252 6.1.2.1 Analysis of Resonantly Enhanced 11th Harmonic 253 6.1.2.2 Variation of Resonance Enhancement by Insertion of Gases 258 6.2 Size-Related Resonance Processes Influencing Harmonic Generation in Plasmas 261 6.2.1 Resonance-Enhanced Harmonic Generation in Nanoparticle-Containing Plasmas 261 6.2.1.1 Experimental Arrangements 262 6.2.1.2 In2O3 Nanoparticles 264 6.2.1.3 Mn2O3 Nanoparticles 267 6.2.1.4 Sn Nanoparticles 269 6.2.1.5 Discussion 270 6.2.2 High-Order Harmonic Generation from Fullerenes 271 References 276 7 Comparison of the Resonance-, Nanoparticle-, and Quasi-Phase-Matching-Induced Processes Leading to the Growth of High-Order Harmonic Yield 281 7.1 Introduction 281 7.2 Quasi-Phase-Matched High-Order Harmonic Generation in Laser-Produced Plasmas 283 7.2.1 Experimental Arrangements 284 7.2.2 Experimental Observations of QPM 286 7.2.3 Modeling HHG in Plasma Plumes 290 7.2.4 Discussion and Comparison of Theory and Experiment 296 7.2.4.1 Scenario 1 297 7.2.4.2 Scenario 2 297 7.3 Influence of a Few-Atomic Silver Molecules on the High-Order Harmonic Generation in the Laser-Produced Plasmas 299 7.3.1 Introduction 299 7.3.2 Experimental Setup 300 7.3.3 Harmonic Generation and Morphology of Ablated Materials 301 7.3.4 Discussion 306 7.4 Controlling Single Harmonic Enhancement in Laser-Produced Plasmas 310 7.4.1 On the Method of Harmonic Enhancement 310 7.4.2 Experimental Conditions for Observation of the Control of Harmonic Enhancement 311 7.4.3 Featureless and Resonance-Enhanced Harmonic Distributions 312 7.4.4 Comparison of Plasma and Harmonic Spectra in the LPPs Allowing Generation of Resonantly Enhanced Harmonics 316 7.4.4.1 Zinc Plasma 317 7.4.4.2 Antimony Plasma 319 7.4.4.3 Cadmium Plasma 320 7.4.4.4 Indium Plasma 320 7.4.4.5 Manganese Plasma 321 7.4.5 Basics of AlternativeModel of Enhancement 322 7.5 Comparison of Micro- and Macroprocesses during the High-Order Harmonic Generation in Laser-Produced Plasma 322 7.5.1 Basic Principles of Comparison 322 7.5.2 Results of Comparative Experiments 324 7.5.3 Discussion of Comparative Experiments 333 References 335 Summary 339 Index 347

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Book Synopsis1. The Dilemma.- 2. Ultrashort Laser Pulses.- 3. Nonlinear Optics.- 4. The Autocorrelation, the Spectrum, and Phase Retrieval.- 5. FROG.- 6. FROG Beam Geometries.- 7. Geometrical Issues: Single-shot FROG.- 8. The FROG Algorithm.- 9. Noise: Its Effects and Suppression.- 10. Practical Issues, Marginals, Error Checks, and Error Correction.- 11. Improvisation in FROG.- 12. Very Simple FROG Apparatus: GRENOUILLE.- 13. Ultraviolet and High-Power Pulse Measurement.- 14. FROG in the Single-Cycle Regime.- 15. FROG Characterization of Complex Pulses.- 16. XFROGCross-correlation Frequency-resolved Optical Gating.- 17. Measuring Extremely Complex Pulses.- 18. Non-instantaneous Nonlinearities.- 19. Fiber-FROG.- 20. Blind FROG.- 21. Principal Component Generalized Projections FROG Algorithm.- 22. Measuring Ultraweak Pulses: TADPOLE.- 23. Measuring Ultrafast Polarization Dynamics: POLLIWOG.- 24. Multi-pulse Interferometric FROG.- 25. The Future of Pulse Measurement.Table of ContentsAuthors and Contributors. Read Me! (Preface). 1. The Dilemma. 2. Ultrashort Laser Pulses. 3. Nonlinear Optics. 4. The Autocorrelation, the Spectrum and Phase Retrieval. 5. FROG. 6. FROG Beam Geometries. 7. Geometrical Issues: Single-shot FROG. 8. The FROG Algorithm. 9. Noise: Its Effects and Suppression. 10. Practical Issues, Marginals, Error Checks, and Error Correction. 11. Improvisation in FROG. 12. Very Simple FROG Apparatus: GRENOUILLE. 13. Ultraviolet and High-Power Pulse Measurement. 14. FROG in the Single-Cycle Regime. 15. FROG Characterization of Pulses with Complex Intensity and Phase. 16. XFROG - Cross-correlation frequency-resolved optical gating. 17. Measuring extremely complex pulses. 18. Non-instantaneous Nonlinearities. 19. Fiber-FROG. 20. Measuring Two Pulses Simultaneously: Blind FROG. 21. Principal Component Generalized Projections FROG Algorithm. 22. Measuring Ultraweak Pulses: TADPOLE. 23. Measuring Ultrafast Polarization Dynamics: POLLIWOG. 24. Multi-pulse Interferometric FROG. 25. The Future of Pulse Measurement: New Dilemmas. Index.

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Book SynopsisThis cross-disciplinary title features contributions by key-note specialists from Europe, Israel and the United States. It deals with the rapidly growing area of microwave photonics, and includes an extended study of the interactions between optical signals and microwave and millimetre-wave electrical signals for broadband applications. Table of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. General introduction. 1: Microwave photonics components. 1. Introduction. 2. Fast lasers sources. 2.1. Fast lasers sources; F. Deborgies. 2.2. Tunable/selectable sources; F. Brillouet. 2.3. Transverse mode, patterns and polarization behavior in VCSELs; J.G. McInerney. 2.4. Mode locked microchip lasers for the generation of low noise millimeter wave carriers; P.R. Herczfeld. 3. Semiconductors optical amplifiers; J.C. Simon. 4. Fast Modulators. 4.1. Fast modulators; M. Varasi. 4.2. Electroabsorption modulators and photo-oscillators for conversion of optics to millimeterwaves; C. Minot. 5. High speed photodetection. 5.1. Microwave optical interaction devices; D. Jager. 5.2. The GaAs MESFET as an optical detector; A. Madjar, et al. 5.3. HBT phototransistors as an optic/millimetre-wave converter. Part I: The device 100; C. Gonzalez. 5.4. HBT phototransistor as an optical millimeter wave converter. Part II: Simulation; C. Rumelhard, et al. 6. References. 2: Electronics for optics: integrated circuits. 1. Introduction. 2. Electronics for optics: introduction to MMICs; I. Darwazeh. 3. High speed ICs for optoelectronic modules; R. Lefevre. 4. High efficiency optical transmitter and receiver modules using integrated MMIC impedance matching and low noise 50.0 amplifier; M. Schaller, et al. 5. References. 3: Modeling methods for optoelectronics. 1. Introduction. 2. Foundations for integrated optics modeling; I. Montrosset, G. Perrone. 3. Tools for microwave-optic co-simulation; D. Breuer, et al. 4. The TLM method - Application to the microwaves and optics; F. Ndagijimana, et al. 5. References. 4 : Microwave - photonics systems. 1. Introduction. 2. Microwave optical links. 2.1. Analog optical links: models, measures and limits of performances; C.H. Cox, III. 2.2. Optoelectronic and optical devices for applications to microwave systems; P. Richin, D. Mongardien. 3. Telecommunication systems. 3.1. Microwave and millimeter-wave photonics for telecommunications; D. Wake. 3.2. Fibre supported MM-wave systems; P. Lane. 3.3. Optics and microwaves in telecommunications networks, today and in the future; M. Joindot. 4. Wireless systems; J.F. Cadiou, et al. 4.2. Broadband access networks: the opportunities of wireless; G. Kalbe. 5. Antenna - Beam fonning. 5.1. Planar antenna technology for microwave-optical interactions; Y. Qian, et al. 5.2. Antenna applications of RF photonics; J.J. Lee. 5.3. Microwave/photonic feed networks for phased array antenna systems; R.A. Sparks. 5.4. Photonics and phased array antennas; J. Chazelas, D. Dolfi. 6. Phase noise degradation in nonlinear fiber optic links distribution networks for communication satellites; A.S. Daryoush. 7. References. 5: All optical processing of microwave functions. 1. Introduction. 2. Photonic base microwave functions. 2.1. Microwave

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Book SynopsisFibre-to-the-Home networks constitute a fundamental telecom segment with the required potential to match the huge capacity of transport networks with the new user communication demands.Table of ContentsPreface. Acknowledgements. Contributors. Abbrevations. List of Figures. List of Tables. References. 1 Introduction. 1.1 Organization of the Document. 2 Architecture of Future Access Networks. 2.1 Multiplexing level. 2.2 WDM – Passive Optical Network. 2.2.1 Wavelength allocation strategies. 2.2.2 Dynamic network reconfiguration using flexible WDM. 2.2.3 Static WDM PONs. 2.2.4 Wavelength routed PON. 2.2.5 Reconfigurable WDM PONs. 2.2.6 Wavelength broadcast-and-select access network. 2.2.7 Wavelength routing access network. 2.3 Geographical, optical and virtual topologies: star, tree, bus, ring and combined. 2.3.1 Tree topology. 2.3.2 Bus topology. 2.3.3 Ring topology. 2.3.4 Tree with redundant trunk. 2.3.5 Arrayed Waveguide Grating based single hop WDM/TDM PON. 2.4 Compatibility with Radio applications UWB, UMTS, WiFi. 2.5 Radio-over-Fibre. 2.6 Next Generation G/E-PON standards development process. 2.6.1 Development of 10G EPON. 2.6.2 Next generation GPON systems. 2.6.3 Summary. 3 Components for Future Access Networks. 3.1 Tuneable Optical Network Unit. 3.2 Fast-tunable laser at the Optical Line Terminal. 3.3 Arrayed Waveguide Gratings. 3.3.1 Wavelength router functionality.3.3.2 Applications in access networks.3.3.3 Arrayed Waveguide Grating characterization.3.4 Reflective receivers and modulators. 3.4.1 Electroabsorption Modulator. 3.4.2 Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers. 3.4.3 Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifier. 3.4.4 Erbium Doped Waveguide Amplifiers and integration with RSOA and REAM for high performance colourless ONT. 4 Enhanced Transmission Techniques. 4.1 Advanced functionalities in Ethernet PONs. 4.1.1 Wavelength conversion. 4.1.2 Tolerance to wavelength conversion range. 4.2 Bidirectional single fibre transmission with colourless Optical Network Unit. 4.2.1 Remodulation by using Reflective Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers. 4.2.2 Fabry Perot InjectionLocking with high bandwidth and low optical power for locking. 4.2.3 Characterization of Rayleigh Backscattering. 4.2.4 Strategies to mitigate Rayleigh Backscattering. 4.2.5 ASK-ASK configuration using time division multiplexing. 4.2.6 FSK-ASK configuration using modulation format multiplexing. 4.2.7 Subcarrier Multiplexing by electrical frequency multiplexing. 4.2.8 Rayleigh Scattering Reduction by means of Optical Frequency Dithering. 4.3 Spectral slicing. 4.4 Alternative modulation formats to NRZ ASK. 4.5 Bidirectional Very high rate DSL transmission over PON. 4.5.1 Heterodyning systems. 4.5.2 Optical frequency multiplying systems. 4.5.3 Coherent systems. 4.6 Active and remotely-pumped optical amplification. 4.6.1 Burst traffic. 4.6.2 Raman amplification in Ethernet PONs. 4.6.3 Remote powering. 4.7 Variable splitter, variable multiplexer. 5 Network Protection. 5.1 Definitions. 5.2 Protection schemes. 5.2.1 Standard schemes. 5.2.2 Novel schemes. 5.3 Reliability performance evaluation. 5.3.1 Reliability requirements and reliability data. 5.3.2 Reliability models. 5.3.3 Results. 5.3.4 Power supply. 5.4 Conclusions. 6 Traffic Studies. 6.1 Dynamic Bandwith Allocation, QoS and priorization in TDMA PONs. 6.1.1 Implementation of a Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation mechanism. 6.1.2 Definition and state of art. 6.1.3 Migration toward a dynamic bandwidth allocated BPON and selection criteria. 6.2 WDMA/TDMA Medium Access Control. 6.2.1 Access Protocol for Arrayed Waveguide Grating based TDMA/WDMA PONs for Metropolitan Area Networks. 6.2.2 Geographical Bandwidth Allocation. 6.3 Access Protocols for WDM Rings with QoS Support. 6.3.1 Analytical Model. 6.3.2 Numerical Results. 6.3.3 Access Protocol Supporting QoS Differentiated Services. 6.3.4 Performance Study. 6.3.5 Summary. 6.4 Efficient Support for Multicast and Peer-to-peer traffic. 6.4.1 Multicast Traffic.6.4.2 Peer-to-Peer Traffic. 7 Metro-Access Convergence.

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Book SynopsisTerahertz Radiation.- Generation and Detection of THz Waves.- THz Spectroscopy and Imaging.- THz Wave Interaction with Materials.- THz Air Photonics.- THz Wave 3D Imaging and Tomography.- THz Wave Near-Field Imaging.- THz Technology in Nondestructive Evaluation.- THz Technology in Security Checks.- THz Technology in Bio and Medical Applications.Table of ContentsTerahertz Radiation.- Generation and Detection of THz Waves.- THz Spectroscopy and Imaging.- THz Wave Interaction with Materials.- THz Air Photonics.- THz Wave 3D Imaging and Tomography.- THz Wave Near-Field Imaging.- THz Technology in Nondestructive Evaluation.- THz Technology in Security Checks.- THz Technology in Bio and Medical Applications.

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Book SynopsisPlanetary Nebulae and How to Observe Them is for amateur astronomers who want to go beyond the Messier objects, concentrating on one of the most beautiful classes of astronomical objects in the sky.Planetary nebulae are not visible to the naked eye, but they are a fascinating group of telescope objects. This guide enables a user equipped with an average-sized amateur telescope to get the best out of observing them. Topics covered include their astrophysical make-up, history of their discovery, classification and description, telescopes to use, filters, and observing techniques - in short everything anyone would need to know to successfully observe planetary nebulae.The book describes the various forms these astronomical objects can take and explains why they are favorite targets for amateur observers. Descriptions of over 100 nebulae personally observed by the author using telescopes of various sizes are included in the book. Readers can create their own obseTrade ReviewFrom the reviews:“This is a welcome addition to the literature … . chapters discuss the history, discovery, and evolution of planetary nebulae. … these are well written and give a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the current ideas on planetary-nebula formation. … descriptions are largely accurate and the photographs have generally reproduced well. … A useful and comprehensive list of further reading covering many aspects of planetary nebulae is included … . this is a useful guide to observing these ‘butterflies’ of the night sky … .” (Stewart Moore, The Observatory, Vol. 132 (1231), December, 2012)“This book follows the standard pattern of the ‘… and how to Observe Them’ series with a brief section on the discovery of planetary nebulae followed by a section on how they form. … The book contains two chapters on observing techniques. … The book ends with a bibliography that is fairly extensive … . Planetary nebulae are some of the most popular objects that deep sky observers look for so … this is a decent first guide to observing these fascinating objects.” (Owen Brazell, Astronomy Now, August, 2012)Table of ContentsPart 1: What are Planetary Nebulae?.- Classification and Data.- Part 2: Telescopes and Techniques.- Photography Planetary Nebulae.- Observers' Guide.

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Book SynopsisThe book concentrates on the knowledge needed to understand how small(ish) optical telescopes function, their main designs and how to set them up, plus introducing the reader to the many ways in which objects in the sky change their positions and how they may be observed.Trade ReviewFrom the reviews of the third edition:“Telescopes And Techniques is a book that would be helpful for every new telescope owner, and of interest to also more seasoned amateur astronomers, but it will be a real gem for students just starting to learn about observational astronomy. … Kitchin’s ‘Telescopes And Techniques’ bridges the gap between being a textbook of practical astronomy and a handbook of telescope maintenance and use. … a very informative and well structured book that will definitely be consulted even after having been read the first time.” (Kadri Tinn, AstroMadness.com, January, 2014)Table of ContentsPreface to the First Edition.- Preface to the Second Edition.- Preface to the Third Edition.- Part I: Telescopes.- Chapter 1: Types of Telescopes.- Chapter 2: Telescope Optics.- Chapter 3: Modern Small Telescope Design.- Part II: Positions and Motions.- Chapter 4: Positions in the Sky.- Chapter 5: Movements of Objects in the Sky.- Chapter 6: Telescope Mountings.- Part III: Observing.- Chapter 7: Electromagnetic Radiation.- Chapter 8: Visual Observing.- Chapter 9: Detectors and Imaging.- Chapter 10: Data Processing.- Chapter 11: Photometry.- Chapter 12: Spectroscopy.- Appendix A: For Further Reading.- Appendix B: Constellations.- Appendix C: Answers to Exercises.- Appendix D: SI and Other Units.- Appendix E: The Greek Alphabet.- Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents and reviews research in the field of optics, including multi-wavelength semiconductor laser diodes; in-line hologram reconstruction; photoacoustic spectroscopy of NO2; chemical oxygen iodine laser; optical superlattices and chalcones.

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Book SynopsisThis book gathers the latest research from around the globe on the subject of lasers and optics research. Topics discussed include micro-nano patterning; computer vision by laser metrology and algorithms of artificial intelligence; dynamic alignment of molecules in intense laser fields; laser ablation and laser cleaning for cultural heritage.

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Book SynopsisThis book gathers the latest research from around the globe on the subject of lasers and optics research. Topics discussed include an overview of optical sensors and their applications; integrated optics on silicon; the mechanical characterisation of bio-tissues with optical techniques and high-speed optical modulators and photonic sideband management.

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Book SynopsisThis book describes certain fundamentals of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and the experimental results obtained from ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectra induced by laser ablation of a graphite target. The characteristics of the spectral emission intensities from the different species have been investigated as functions of the ambient pressure, laser irradiance, delay time and distance from the target. Excitation, vibrational and rotational temperatures, as well as ionisation degree and electron number density for some species were estimated. Time-gated spectroscopic studies have allowed estimation of time-of-flight (TOF) and propagation velocities for various emission species.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents current research in the study of optics, with a particular focus on sensors and fibres. Topics discussed include optical current sensors; evanescent field tapered fibre optic biosensors; new challenges in raman amplification for fibre communication systems; fibre bragg gratings in high birefringence optical fibres and optics research applied to the turin shroud.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisThis book gathers the latest research from around the globe on the subject of lasers and optics research. Topics discussed include advanced CO2 laser-induced plasma processing; excimer laser annealing of dielectrics with ion-synthesized metal nanoparticles; ultra-short pulse laser on hole drilling; laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and its applications in mineral and pollution analyses; high power optical coatings; lasers in implant dentistry; Q-switched laser applications and electromagnetically induced transparency in optical frequency metrology.

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Book SynopsisThis book describes the general properties of the most popular liquid crystal (LC) phases nematics (Ns) and smectics (Ss), and in addition, is directed to fill in a niche of the LC field. This book covers topics ranging from the types and classifications of liquid crystals to a detail description of the fundamental properties of nematics and smectics, including continuum theory, non-linearity, behaviour in electric field, surface alignment, phase transitions, defect and textures and provides a useful reference intended for advanced topics of the physics of liquid crystals.

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Book SynopsisNon-linear optical phenomena have been widely investigated and well understood since the invention of the Laser. Lots of applications of the non-linear optical phenomena have always been advanced in various fields, such as, optical information storage, all-light computing, optical switch, optical limiters, micro-nano-fabrication, etc., Non-linear optics has been developed into a subfield of optics, and there is no indication that either the developments of non-linear optics or its applications are slowing down. In non-linear optics, the characterisation and measurement techniques of the non-linear index are critical for understanding the non-linear physical process and developing new applications. In this book, different optical non-linearity characterisation and measurement methods are introduced and non-linear problems are discussed theoretically. This book is invaluable to advanced undergraduates, graduate students and researchers working in the fields of physics, materials, and chemistry.

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Book SynopsisThe goal of the book is to present the high-power high-frequency pulse periodic laser systems, which in the nearest time will find a lot of applications in the field of ecology, machinery, space engineering, nuclear technologies and many others. A laser-plasma generator of multiply charged ions produces a large number of heavy ions in the regime of short periodic pulses, which is needed for ion accelerators operating in the pulse periodic regime. The source of this type is also promising for effective use in the field of heavy-ion fusion, brittle materials figure cutting, oil films elimination from the water surface and so on. This book has considered, in details, a new approach to the problem of a laser jet engine creation, which is based on the resonance merging of shock waves generated by an optical pulsating discharge, produced by such a laser. To obtain an optical pulsating discharge, the authors suggested the usage of high-power pulse-periodic laser radiation, which can be generated by wide aperture carbon dioxide, chemical and mono-module disk type solid-state laser systems. Future developments of the disk laser technology as the most effective and scalable to the level of many hundreds of kW as well are under consideration in the book.

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Book SynopsisThe first chapter of this compilation on optoelectronics research provides the full, exciting story of integrated silicon light-emitting devices (Si-LEDs). Silicon is currently the most important semiconductor material. The book continues by discussing surpamolecular polymer semiconductors toward organic mechatronics; elastico-mechanoluminescent materials; and nonlinear and fluctuation phenomenaunder conditions of strong selective reflection in inclined geometry.

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Book SynopsisThis book gathers the latest research from around the globe on the subject of lasers and optics research. Topics discussed include optical imaging applications for the study of cultural heritage artefacts; laser induced transfer of organic materials; scanning probe microscopies of semiconductor and semi-magnetic nanocrystals; controlling the properties of semiconductor quantum dots; spatial and temporal soliton pulse generation by transmission of chaotic signals using fibre optic links; analysis of optical ring resonator; and clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of retro bulbar neuritis.

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Book SynopsisLaser technologies offer multiple benefits in the synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials. A guide for experienced practitioners and those new to the field in laser-based techniques.

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Book SynopsisUltrafast science has long been limited to the investigation of molecular processes. Over the past 10 years investigation of ultrafast processes has expanded to material science, including aspects relevant to the solid-state such as excitation of electrons in band structures and collective phonon excitation. Specific probes for electronic and structural reorganization, such as X-ray diffraction and ARPES, have been advanced. Furthermore, experimental techniques including XFEL science, THz science and various pump–probe methods, as well as the theoretical understanding of ultrafast, out-of-equilibrium and multiscale processes driven by light or THz excitation, have seen rapid development. This volume brings together a complementarity of internationally-leading experimental material scientists and theoreticians in this field to explore and exchange their ideas about the key aspects of ultrafast science, designing new ways to control materials and understanding transformation processes. The topics covered include: Material science: ultrafast transformation, electron-phonon coupling, multi-scale aspects Theory of out of equilibrium light-induced phenomena Optical excitation processes THz and laser field excitation processes Table of ContentsMaterial science: ultrafast transformation, electron-phonon coupling, multi-scale aspects;Theory of out of equilibrium light-induced phenomena;Optical excitation processes;THz and laser field excitation processes

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