Description
Book SynopsisEver wonder why soap bubbles become invisible right before they pop? Or why lenses are so blue they look purple? How is it possible to image black holes at the heart of distant galaxies? The answer to all these questions is Interference. This book tells the story of the science of optical interferometry - mankind''s most sensitive form of measurement - and of the scientists who tamed light to make outstanding discoveries, from lasers and holograms to astronomy and quantum physics. In the past several years, interferometry has been used to discover exoplanets orbiting distant stars, to take the first image of a black hole, to detect the first gravitational waves and to create the first programmable quantum computer. This list of achievements points to the fertile and active field of interferometry for which this book provides a convenient and up - to - date guide for a wide audience interested in the science of light.
Trade ReviewExceptionally well written and remarkably detailed as to the history and the personalities of the scientists involved. * Peter Milonni, Los Alamos National Laboratory *
A high-quality book with an easy and engaging prose style. * David Di Vincenzo, Forschungszentrum Juelich, Germany *
Informative, entertaining, and hasn't been done before: strongly recommended. * Jennifer Coopersmith, author of Energy - The Subtle Concept and The Lazy Universe - An Introduction to the Principle of Least Action *
Interference induces excitement in the reader and can encourage young students to study and work in the field of optics. * Barry R. Masters, Optics & Photonics News *
Table of Contents1: Thomas Young Polymath: The Law of Interference 2: The Fresnel Connection: Particle versus Waves 3: At Light Speed: The Birth of Interferometry 4: After the Gold Rush: The Trials of Albert Michelson 5: Stellar Interference: Measuring the Stars 6: Across the Universe: Gravitational Waves, Black Holes and the Search for Exoplanets 7: Two Faces of Microscopy: Diffraction and Interference 8: Holographic Dreams of Princess Leia: Crossing Beams 9: Photon Interference: The Foundations of Quantum Communication 10: The Quantum Advantage: Interferometric Computing
