Product Description
An introduction to photonics and lasers that does not rely on complex mathematics

This book evolved from a series of courses developed by the author and taught in the areas of lasers and photonics. This thoroughly classroom-tested work fills a unique need for students, instructors, and industry professionals in search of an introductory-level book that covers a wide range of topics in these areas. Comparable books tend to be aimed either too high or too low, or they cover only a portion of the topics that are needed for a comprehensive treatment.

Photonics and Lasers is divided into four parts:
* Propagation of Light
* Generation and Detection of Light
* Laser Light
* Light-Based Communication

The author has ensured that complex mathematics does not become an obstacle to understanding key physical concepts. Physical arguments and explanations are clearly set forth while, at the same time, sufficient mathematical detail is provided for a quantitative understanding. As an additional aid to readers who are learning to think symbolically, some equations are expressed in words as well as symbols.

Problem sets are provided throughout the book for readers to test their knowledge and grasp of key concepts. A solutions manual is also available for instructors. Finally, the detailed bibliography leads readers to in-depth explorations of particular topics.

The book's topics, lasers and photonics, are often treated separately in other texts; however, the author skillfully demonstrates their natural synergy. Because of the combined coverage, this text can be used for a two-semester course or a one-semester course emphasizing either lasers or photonics. This is a perfect introductory textbook for both undergraduate and graduate students, additionally serving as a practical reference for engineers in telecommunications, optics, and laser electronics.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 3 reviews)

Photonics and Lasers

Fantasic, the most clearest book on lasers and photonics I've ever read. ho preparato il mio esame di master su questo libro e devo dire che mi ha chiarito molti aspetti che altri libri, affidandosi solo ad una rigorosa spiegazione matematica, avevano lasciato oscuri.
May 08, 2008

Best intro to photonics for electrical engineers

It has always been difficult to find a book that is a good introduction to photonics, since the existing books in the field either aim to high and get bogged down in mathematics or aim too low and end up being hobbyist books on the subject. The audience for this book is the college undergraduate who is likely a nonphysics major - most likely an engineering student - who is looking for an introduction to the subject. The other audience would be the professional who wants to come up to speed in photonics by learning the fundamentals in a format that is accessible to him/her. You should already be familiar with your freshman physics, specifically mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, and a dash of modern physics. Also, knowledge of differential and integral calculus is assumed plus ordinary differential equations. Maxwell's equations are discussed, but there are no derivations involved.

The author makes sure that mathematical concepts do not get in the way of the physical concepts. He does this by giving physical arguments that lead to an intuitive understanding wherever possible. However, sufficient mathematical detail is included so that you should get a good understanding of the quantitative nature of the field as well. The combined coverage of photonics and lasers in a single book is unusual. However, it does lend itself to a better understanding of waveguiding and optical communications, which rely on an understanding of both fields.

The thing I like best about the book is the abundance of numerical examples with detailed solutions and electrical analogs used as illustrations that are found throughout. It really helps those of us with electrical engineering backgrounds who feel we really don't get a subject unless we can quantify something. The examples usually lead the way to solving the included exercises, but the one shortcoming of the book is that there are no solutions to either even or odd problems included.

If you are a student, I highly recommend this book even if you are using Saleh's Photonics as a text. This book will give you a clearer understanding for the quantitative issues.
March 04, 2008

Very Useful Resource!

I took a Photonics course with Professor Quimby when he was in the process of writing this book, and I studied several textbooks on the subject during the course. His book was the most useful, it made the rather complicated subject of Photonics more comprehensible than any other text. Great chapter on the several different types of photo detectors and lasers, also great introduction to fiber optic communications!
May 03, 2006

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Fundamentals of Photonics (Wiley Series in Pure and Applied Optics)
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Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd Edition)
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