Useful Optics

by Walter T. Welford

Overview

Students and professionals alike have long felt the need of a modern source of practical advice on the use of optical tools in scientific research. Walter T. Welford's Useful Optics meets this need.

Welford offers a succinct review of principles basic to the construction and use of optics in physics. His lucid explanations and clear illustrations will particularly help those whose interests lie in other areas but who nevertheless must understand enough about optics to create the experimental apparatus necessary to their research. Consistently emphasizing applications and practical points of design, Welford covers a host of topics: mirrors and prisms, optical materials, aberration, the limits of image formation and resolution, illumination for image-forming systems, laser beams, interference and interferometry, detectors and light sources, holography, and more. The final chapter deals with putting together an experimental optics system.

Many areas of the physical sciences and engineering increasingly demand an appreciation of optics. Welford's Useful Optics will prove indispensable to any researcher trying to develop and use effective optical apparatus.

Walter T. Welford (1916-1990) was professor of physics at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine from 1951 until his death. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Optical Society of America.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780226893068
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Publication date:	10/08/1991
Series:	Chicago Lectures in Physics
Edition description:	1
Pages:	150
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Walter T. Welford (1916-1990) was professor of physics at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine from 1951 until his death. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Optical Society of America.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Useful Models of Optics
2. Geometrical Optics
3. Symmetrical Optical Systems
4. Plane Mirrors and Prisms
5. Optical Materials
6. Aberrations
7. Physical Optics and the Limits of Image Formation
8. Illumination for Image-forming Systems
9. Laser Beams
10. Thin-Film Multilayers
11. Interference and Interferometry
12. Detectors and Light Sources
13. Image Scanning and Beam Deflection
14. Diffraction Gratings
15. Some Applications of Holography
16. Assembling an Experimental Optical System
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

A brief guide to assembly of optical equipment and manipulation of the collected data. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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