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An accessible introduction to our evolving understanding of light
Includes up-to-the minute information about quantum optics, entangled photons and other fascinating phenomena related to light
Author shares unique insights from his many years working in optics and light control
Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
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Table of contents (10 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
About this book
This book traces the evolution of our understanding and utilization of light from classical antiquity and the early thoughts of Pythagoras to the present time.
From the earliest recorded theories and experiments to the latest applications in photonic communication and computation, the ways in which light has been put to use are numerous and astounding. Indeed, some of the latest advances in light science are in fields that until recently belonged to the realm of science fiction.
The author, writing for an audience of both students and other scientifically interested readers, describes fundamental investigations of the nature of light and ongoing methods to measure its speed as well as the emergence of the wave theory of light and the complementary photon theory. The importance of light in the theory of relativity is discussed as is the development of electrically-driven light sources and lasers. The information here covers the range o
f weak single-photon light sources to super-high power lasers and synchrotron light sources.Many cutting-edge topics are also introduced, including entanglement-based quantum communication through optical fibers and free space, quantum teleportation, and quantum computing. The nature and use of "squeezed light" - e.g. for gravitational wave detection - is another fascinating excursion, as is the topic of fabricated metamaterials, as used to create invisibility cloaks. Here the reader also learns about the realization of extremely slow speed and time-reversed light.
The theories, experiments, and applications described in this book are, whenever possible, derived from original references. The many annotated drawings and level of detail make clear the goals, procedures, and conclusions of the original investigators. Where they are required, all specialist terms and mathematical symbols are defined and explained.
The final part of the book covers light expe
riments in the free space of the cosmos, and also speculates about scenarios for the cosmological origins of light and the expected fate of the photon in a dying universe.Reviews
Authors and Affiliations
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Austin, USA
Dennis F. Vanderwerf
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The Story of Light Science
Book Subtitle: From Early Theories to Today's Extraordinary Applications
Authors: Dennis F. Vanderwerf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64316-8
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing AG 2017
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-64315-1Published: 16 August 2017
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-87769-3Published: 12 May 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-64316-8Published: 06 August 2017
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XIV, 332
Number of Illustrations: 213 b/w illustrations, 5 illustrations in colour
Topics: Optics, Lasers, Photonics, Optical Devices, Quantum Information Technology, Spintronics, Popular Science in Physics, History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics, Microwaves, RF and Optical Engineering