Book reviews
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It is difficult to find nonlinear phenomena which have not been treated. To mention one, there
is now a growing interest in the Hanle effect which is basically a nonlinear phenomenon and goes
back to such fundamental developments as those treated by Bloembergen long before the laser
was built. Also Bloembergen's nonlinear reflectivity from semiconductor crystals of his and
other's recent work on the femtosecond melting of surfaces and the accompanied electron
emission and other phenomena could have been mentioned. Admittedly these processes have
been of borderline interest though this may change in the course of applications. A similar
question may be the quantum modulation of electron beams since this was not only studied for
interactions of lasers in solids but was successful in molecular scattering fully reproducing the
principle effects. In view of the very broad scope of the field of classical nonlinear optics, it is
understandable that an omission of marginal processes has had to be taken.
The book will be of great value for researchers in the field of nonlinear optics as well as for
advanced students in physics and engineering for an introduction and a first orientation.
H. Hora
W. H. Steel, Interferometry, Second Edition: Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics 1, Cambridge
University Press, 1986, 308 pages.
An extensively revised and enlarged edition of Interferometry, which first appeared in 1967.
The theory and applications of interferometry are dealt with in some depth; covering the radio
region as well as the optical region.
The earlier chapters are devoted to the background and mathematical basis of interferometry,
while the later chapters are concerned with instruments and applications. Topics covered
include, interference, holograms, coherence theory, two beam and multiple beam interferometers, phase measurements, testing of optical surfaces and systems, hologram and speckle
interferometry, interference spectroscopy and interference imagery with particular reference to
astronomy.
Additions have been made since the first edition which take into account the utility of lasers as
interferometric sources.
The book should be useful as a student textbook and as a reference book for researchers in the
many fields where interferometry plays a part. It is well written and easy to follow.
T. D.
P. Hariharan, Optical Holography: Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics 2, Cambridge
University Press, 1986, 319 pages.
A lucid account of optical holography. The first chapter deals with the historical background
and the next three give a clear theoretical account. Further chapters are concerned with the
practical considerations of light sources and recording media and two chapters are devoted to the
exciting new area of computer generated holograms. The final chapters deal with applications,
including microscopy, particle size analysis, high resolution imaging, optical elements, information storage and processing and two chapters on the important technique of holographic
interferometry, particularly for non destructive testing and inspection of materials in industry.
There are useful appendices on Fourier transforms, wave propagation and diffraction,
interference and coherence, speckle patterns, and the H and D "gamma" curve and there is an
extensive list of references for further study.
A good feature is the introduction to each topic by a simple treatment for the beginner which
progresses to greater detail for the more experienced worker in the field. The book is
recommended for students and researchers alike. It should prove a useful addition to any optics
library shelf.
T. D.
G. Hernandez, Fabry-Perot Interferometers: Cambridge Studies in Modern Optics 3, Cambridge
University Press, 1986, 343 pages.
As the text points out, the Fabry-Perot interferometer is the most luminous instrument
available for a given resolving power, which makes it an attractive choice for many high
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0263034600001919 Published online by Cambridge University Press
320
Book reviews
resolution applications. It is also, of course, the basis of the laser cavity where it is used to
"shape" a radiation field. The book will therefore be of interest to those readers of this journal
who are concerned with the design of laser cavities and etalons and those who are concerned
with spectroscopic techniques.
The book is a modern overview of the instrument and delves into the mathematical theory
behind it. The first chapter traces the development since Fabry and Perot in the late nineteenth
and early twentieth century to the present day, highlighting important milestones and quoting
copious references to the original works.
Four chapters are concerned with theory, one chapter covers the topic of absorbers and
emitters in the cavity, taking the laser as an illustration. Another chapter deals with construction
and operation covering a wide range of types and reproducing many detailed drawings. A short
final chapter discusses some more unconventional uses and there is a comprehensive bibliography at the end of the book.
An essential reference for anyone concerned with the use of these instruments.
T. D.
R. W. Boyd, M. G. Raymer and L. M. Narducci, eds. Optical Instabilities: Cambridge Studies in
Modern Optics 4, Cambridge University Press, 1986, 396 pages.
This volume contains a selection of papers from the International Meeting on Instabilities and
Dynamics of Lasers and Nonlinear Optical Systems held at the University of Rochester, New
York, from June 18 to 21, 1985, which was attended by 190 scientists from 18 countries.
It is divided into two collections of papers; review articles, starting with the keynote address
by Professor Haken, University of Stuttgart on "The adiabatic elimination principle in dynamical
theories", and a set of research papers.
Topics are divided into sections on: instabilities in single and multimode lasers, lasers
containing saturable absorbers, lasers with external perturbations, instabilities in bistable optical
systems, instabilities in nonlinear optical systems and effects of noise.
The field of optical instabilities is fundamental, inter alia, to the understanding of laser
oscillations from which it is hoped improved laser systems can be designed. Recently the field
has grown in importance, particularly as computing power has become very much cheaper for
numerical simulation. Previously intractable problems have come within the reach of a solution.
This is seen in the realm of attractor theory and its application to optical instabilities, in which
context special mention should be made of the article by Sparrow on the Lorenz model.
The book should prove a useful guide and tutorial for those researchers interested in the state
of the art work on optical instabilities.
T. D.
W. T. Tsang, ed. Semiconductors and Semimetals, Volume 22, Lightwave Communications
Technology, Part A, Material Growth Technologies, Academic Press, 1985, 416 pages.
One of a series of seven volumes on lightwave communications technology, five of which deal
with semiconductor optoelectronics technology and form part of the treatise on semiconductors
and semimetals under the general editorship of R. K. Willardson and Albert C. Beer. It is
concerned with the growth of materials and contains contributions from several experts in the
field.
Coverage is very comprehensive and includes liquid phase, molecular beam and organometallic vapor phase epitaxy, halide and chloride transport vapor phase deposition, low
pressure metallo-organic chemical vapor deposition and defects in III-V compound
semiconductors.
These technologies are at the forefront of semiconductor production for lightwave communications and control and are therefore of fundamental importance, for as new materials and
methods of production emerge, communications are being rapidly revolutionised, as manifested
by the ever increasing volume of information that can be accessed and the rate at which it can be
communicated if not perhaps disseminated.
The book is recommended as an invaluable source for those already working in the field as
well as for those who intend to.
T. D.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0263034600001919 Published online by Cambridge University Press