Advanced spectroscopic techniques allow the probing of very small systems and very fast phenomena, conditions that can be considered "extreme" at the present status of our experimentation and knowledge. Quantum dots, nanocrystals and single molecules are examples of the former and events on the femtosecond scale examples of the latter. The purpose of this book is to examine the realm of phenomena of such extreme type and the techniques that permit their investigations.

Each author has developed a coherent section of the program

starting at a somewhat fundamental level and ultimately reaching the frontier of knowledge in the field in a systematic and didactic fashion. The formal lectures are complemented by additional seminars.

The study of semiconductor-layer structures using infrared ellipsometry is a rapidly growing field within optical spectroscopy. This book offers basic insights into the concepts of phonons, plasmons and polaritons, and the infrared dielectric function of semiconductors in layered structures. It describes how strain, composition, and the state of the atomic order within complex layer structures of multinary alloys can be determined from an infrared ellipsometry examination. Special emphasis is given to free-charge-carrier properties, and magneto-optical effects.

A broad range of experimental examples are described, including multinary alloys of zincblende and wurtzite structure semiconductor materials, and future applications such as organic layer structures and highly correlated electron systems are proposed.

This textbook, based on the authors' class-tested material, is accessible to students at the advanced undergraduate and graduate level in physics and engineering. While its primary function is didactic, this book's comprehensive choice of topics and its clear and authoritative synthesis of ideas make it a useful reference for researchers, device engineers, and course instructors who wish to consolidate their knowledge of this field. The book takes the semi-classical approach where light is treated as a wave in accordance with the classical Maxwell equations, while matter is governed by quantum theory. It begins by introducing the postulates and mathematical framework of quantum theory, followed by the formalism of the density matrix which allows the transition from microscopic (quantum) quantities to macroscopic (classical) ones. Consequently, the equations describing the reaction of matter to the electromagnetic field in the form of polarization, magnetization, and current are derived. These equations (together with the Maxwell equations) form the complete system of equations sufficient to model a wide class of problems surrounding linear and nonlinear interactions of electromagnetic fields with matter. The nonlinear character of the governing equations determines parameters of the steady-state mode of the quantum generator and is also demonstrated in harmonic generation via propagation of laser radiation in various media. The touchstone description of magnetic phenomena will be of interest to scientists who deal with applications of magneto-resonance phenomena in biology and medicine. Other advanced topics covered include electric dipole transitions, magnetic dipole transitions, plasma transitions, and the devices that can be based on these and other electro-optical and nonlinear-optical systems. This textbook features numerous exercises, some of which are investigatory and some of which require computational solutions.

This book primarily covers the fundamental science, synthesis, characterization, optoelectronic properties, and applications of metal oxide nanomaterials. It discusses the basic aspects of synthetic procedures and fabrication technologies, explains the related experimental techniques and also elaborates on the current status of nanostructured oxide materials and related devices. Two major aspects of metal oxide nanostructures - their optical and electrical properties - are described in detail. The first five chapters focus on the optical characteristics of semiconducting materials, especially metal oxides at the nanoscale. The following five chapters discuss the electrical properties observed in metal oxide-based semiconductors and the status quo of device-level developments in a variety of applications such as sensors, transistors, dilute magnetic semiconductors, and dielectric materials. The basic science and mechanism behind the optoelectronic phenomena are explained in detail, to aid readers interested in the structure-property symbiosis in semiconducting nanomaterials. In short, the book offers a valuable reference guide for researchers and academics in the areas of material science and semiconductor technology, especially nanophotonics and electronics.

Materials for Optoelectronics is the first book to offer a complete view of this subject area. It begins by describing the material needs defined by various optoelectronic functions. Basic aspects of the materials' specific properties are presented, including the relevant properties of semiconductors in terms of electron-photon interactions. Since the semiconductors for optoelectronics are generally based on alloys, the thermodynamic properties of interest are developed as well. Next, semiconductors for detection, emission and modulation are detailed. The fabrication of these materials is presented through a comparison and review of the epitaxial techniques. The III-V semiconductors for IR and visible light devices are presented. The II-VI family is also considered, with an emphasis on recent developments for visible light emission. A description of the status of silicon for optoelectronics is given as well. Finally, non-semiconductors for optoelectronics, namely optical fibers for telecommunications, electrooptic materials, and organic materials, are also presented. Materials for Optoelectronics is useful to materials and device engineers interested in increasing their knowledge of the potential and actual properties and uses of various materials. Students will also find this volume useful since it emphasizes the basic properties and needs for optoelectronics.

Constrained Coding and Soft Iterative Decoding is the first work to combine the issues of constrained coding and soft iterative decoding (e.g., turbo and LDPC codes) from a unified point of view. Since constrained coding is widely used in magnetic and optical storage, it is necessary to use some special techniques (modified concatenation scheme or bit insertion) in order to apply soft iterative decoding. Recent breakthroughs in the design and decoding of error-control codes (ECCs) show significant potential for improving the performance of many communications systems. ECCs such as turbo codes and low-density parity check (LDPC) codes can be represented by graphs and decoded by passing probabilistic (a.k.a. soft') messages along the edges of the graph. This message-passing algorithm yields powerful decoders whose performance can approach the theoretical limits on capacity. This exposition uses normal graphs, ' introduced by Forney, which extend in a natural manner to block diagram representations of the system and provide a simple unified framework for the decoding of ECCs, constrained codes, and channels with memory. Soft iterative decoding is illustrated by the application of turbo codes and LDPC codes to magnetic recording channels. For magnetic and optical storage, an issue arises in the use of constrained coding, which places restrictions on the sequences that can be transmitted through the channel; the use of constrained coding in combination with soft ECC decoders is addressed by the modified concatenation scheme also known as reverse concatenation.' Moreover, a soft constraint decoder yields additional coding gain from the redundancy in the constraint, which may be of practical interest in the case of optical storage. In addition, this monograph presents several other research results (including the design of sliding-block lossless compression codes, and the decoding of array codes as LDPC codes). Constrained Coding and Soft Iterative Decoding will prove useful to students, researchers and professional engineers who are interested in understanding this new soft iterative decoding paradigm and applying it in communications and storage systems.

This book gives a complete account of electron momentum spectroscopy to date. It describes in detail the construction of spectrometers and the acquisition and reduction of cross-section data, explaining the quantum theory of the reaction and giving experimental verification.

The present book provides recent developments in various in vivo imaging and sensing techniques such as photo acoustics (PA) imaging and microscopy, ultrasound-PA combined modalities, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and micro OCT, Raman and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLI) techniques and nanoparticle enabled endoscopy etc. There is also a contributing chapter from leading medical instrumentation company on their view of optical imaging techniques in clinical laparoscopic surgery. The UN proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies, emphasizing achievements in the optical sciences and their importance to human beings. In this context, this book focusses on the recent advances in biophotonics techniques primarily focused towards translational medicine contributed by thought leaders who have made cutting edge developments in various photonics techniques.

The quantum statistical properties of radiation represent an important branch of modern physics with rapidly increasing applications in spectroscopy, quantum generators of radiation, optical communication, etc. They have also an increasing role in fields other than pure physics, such as biophysics, psychophysics, biology, etc. Interesting applications have been developed in high energy elementary particle collisions. The present monograph represents an extension and continuation of the previous monograph by this author entitled Coherence of Light (Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, London 1972, translated into Russian in the Publishing House Mir, Moscow 1974, second edition published by D. Reidel, Dordrecht-Boston 1985) and ofa review chapter in Progress in Optics, Vol. 18 (edited by E. Wolf, North-Holland Publishing Company, Amsterdam 1980) as well. It applies the fundamental tools of the coherent-state technique, as described in Coherence of Light, to particular studies of the quantum statistical properties of radiation interacting with matter. In particular. nonlinear optical processes are considered, and purely quantum phenom ena such as antibunching of photons, their sub-Poisson behaviour and squeezing of vacuum fluctuations are discussed. Compared to the first edition of this book, pub lished in 1984, we have added much more information about squeezing of vacuum fluctuations in nonlinear optical process in this second edition; further we have included the description of experiments and their results performed from that time. Also a new brief chapter on nonlinear dynamics and chaos in quantum statistical optics has been included."

This book presents the first comprehensive, interdisciplinary review of the rapidly developing field of air lasing. In most applications of lasers, such as cutting and engraving, the laser source is brought to the point of service where the laser beam is needed to perform its function. However, in some important applications such as remote atmospheric sensing, placing the laser at a convenient location is not an option. Current sensing schemes rely on the detection of weak backscattering of ground-based, forward-propagating optical probes, and possess limited sensitivity. The concept of air lasing (or atmospheric lasing) relies on the idea that the constituents of the air itself can be used as an active laser medium, creating a backward-propagating, impulsive, laser-like radiation emanating from a remote location in the atmosphere. This book provides important insights into the current state of development of air lasing and its applications.

Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is a remarkable technique for recording low-level light signals with extremely high precision and picosecond-time resolution. TCSPC has developed from an intrinsically time-consuming and one-dimensional technique into a fast, multi-dimensional technique to record light signals. So this reference and text describes how advanced TCSPC techniques work and demonstrates their application to time-resolved laser scanning microscopy, single molecule spectroscopy, photon correlation experiments, and diffuse optical tomography of biological tissue. It gives practical hints about constructing suitable optical systems, choosing and using detectors, detector safety, preamplifiers, and using the control features and optimising the operating conditions of TCSPC devices. Advanced TCSPC Techniques is an indispensable tool for everyone in research and development who is confronted with the task of recording low-intensity light signals in the picosecond and nanosecond range.

"The monograph by Dr Wolfgang Becker is a complete and lucid summary of both the basic principles and the state-of-the-art of TCSPC. This book contains descriptions that are only available from the primary literature or specialized web sites. An understanding of the present technology will allow the reader to make effective use of the multi-dimensional capabilities of modern time-resolved fluorescence instruments."
Joseph R. Lakowicz, Center for Fluorescence Spectroscopy, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore,

This book is an outgrowth of a course given by the author for people in industry, government, and universities wishing to understand the implica tions of emerging optical fiber technology, and how this technology can be applied to their specific information transport and sensing system needs. The course, in turn, is an outgrowth of 15 exciting years during which the author participated in the research and development, as well as in the application, of fiber technology. The aim of this book is to provide the reader with a working knowledge of the components and subsystems which make up fiber systems and of a wide variety of implemented and proposed applications for fiber technology. The book is directed primarily at those who would be users, as opposed to developers, of the technology. The first half of this book is an overview of components and subsys tems including fibers, connectors, cables, sources, detectors, receivers, transmitters, and miscellaneous components. The goal is to familiarize the reader with the properties of these components and subsystems to the extent necessary to understand their potential applications and limitations."

This book captures cutting-edge research in semiconductor quantum dot devices, discussing preparation methods and properties, and providing a comprehensive overview of their optoelectronic applications. Quantum dots (QDs), with particle sizes in the nanometer range, have unique electronic and optical properties. They have the potential to open an avenue for next-generation optoelectronic methods and devices, such as lasers, biomarker assays, field effect transistors, LEDs, photodetectors, and solar concentrators. By bringing together leaders in the various application areas, this book is both a comprehensive introduction to different kinds of QDs with unique physical properties as well as their preparation routes, and a platform for knowledge sharing and dissemination of the latest advances in a novel area of nanotechnology.

Solitary wave physics plays a significant role from modern optical physics to optical communication, optical switching and optical storage. This book gives an updated overview of optical solitons, as a reference and guide for advanced students and scientists working in the field.

A quantum dot molecule (QDM) is composed of two or more closely spaced quantum dots or artificial atoms. In recent years, QDMs have received much attention as an emerging new artificial quantum system. The interesting and unique coupling and energy transfer processes between the artificial atoms could substantially extend the range of possible applications of quantum nanostructures. This book reviews recent advances in the exciting and rapidly growing field of QDMs via contributions from some of the most prominent researchers in this scientific community. The book explores many interesting topics such as the epitaxial growth of QDMs, spectroscopic characterization, and QDM transistors, and bridges between the fundamental physics of novel materials and device applications for future information technology. Both theoretical and experimental approaches are considered. "Quantum Dot Molecules" can be recommended for electrical engineering and materials science department courses on the science and design of advanced and future electronic and optoelectronic devices."

This award-winning book has been translated from the original French by the author and thoroughly updated. It gives an introduction to modern optics at an advanced level, taking a unique approach inspired by Richard Feynman.

Generalized Phase Contrast elevates the phase contrast technique not only to improve phase imaging but also to cross over and interface with diverse and seemingly disparate fields of contemporary optics and photonics.

This book presents a comprehensive introduction to the Generalized Phase Contrast (GPC) method including an overview of the range of current and potential applications of GPC in wavefront sensing and phase imaging, structured laser illumination and image projection, optical trapping and manipulation, and optical encryption and decryption. The GPC method goes further than the restrictive assumptions of conventional Zernike phase contrast analysis and achieves an expanded range of validity beyond weak phase perturbations. The generalized analysis yields design criteria for tuning experimental parameters to achieve optimal performance in terms of accuracy, fidelity and light efficiency. Optimization can address practical issues, such as finding an optimal spatial filter for the chosen application, and can even enable a Reverse Phase Contrast mode where intensity patterns are converted into a phase modulation.

This book is intended to offer the reader a snapshot of the field of optoelectronic materials from the viewpoint of inorganic chemists. The field of inorganic chemistry is transforming from one focused on the synthesis of compounds having interesting coordination numbers, structures, and stereochemistries, to one focused on preparing compounds that have potentially useful practical applica tions. Two such applications are in the area of optics and electronics. These are fields where the use of inorganic materials has a long history. As the field of microelectronics develops the demands on the performance of such materials increases, and it becomes necessary to discover compounds that will meet these demands. The field of optoelectronics represents a merging of the two disciplines. Its emergence is a natural one because many of the applications involve both of these properties, and also because the electronic structure of a metal compound that confers novel optical properties is often one that also influences its electron transfer and conductivity characteristics. Two of the more important growth areas that have led to these developments are communications and medicine. Within the communications field there is the microelectronics that is involved in information storage and transmittal, some of which will be transferred into the optical regime. Within the medical field there are chemical probes that transmit analytical information from an in vivo environment. This information needs to be readily accessible from an external site, and then quickly converted into images or data that yield accurate and inexpensive diagnoses."

Established in 1965, Advances in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics continues its tradition of excellence with Volume 34. The latest volume includes nine reviews of topics related to the applications of atomic and molecular physics to atmospheric physics and astrophysics.

This volume of NATO Science Series presents the Proceedings of the NATO Advances Research Workshop "Optical Properties of 2D systems with interacting electrons" which was held at the Educational Centerofthe Ioffe Physico-Technical Institute in the period of June 13-16, 2002. More than 40 scientists from 14 countries participated and gave 24 lectures and 16 poster presentations. The main goal of theWorkshop was to bring togetherleading scientists working in the field of optical properties of correlated electron systems in semiconductor nanostructures and to organize a vital and informal discussions of newest results in the field. The location and the format of the Workshop provided an atmosphere of friendly and fruitful communications. It is important to note that the Workshop continued a series of meetings con cerning the same topic: Warsaw 1999, Wurzburg 2000 (NATO ARW), and Berlin 2001. The subject agenda of the ARW was focused on the following topics: Evolution of optical spectra from the excitonic peaks to the Fermi-edge singularity Negatively and positively charged excitons Reconstruction ofone-particle and collective excitation spectra with increase of the electron density (combined exciton-cyclotron resonance and shake-up processes) Effect of spatial inhomogeneity on the carrier interaction in nanostructures Spin-sensitive interaction and spin-spin interaction in confined systems Many-particle effects in semimagnetic semiconductor heterostructures."

This graduate-level text presents the fundamental physics of solid-state lasers, including the basis of laser action and the optical and electronic properties of laser materials. After an overview of the topic, the first part begins with a review of quantum mechanics and solid-state physics, spectroscopy, and crystal field theory; it then treats the quantum theory of radiation, the emission and absorption of radiation, and nonlinear optics; concluding with discussions of lattice vibrations and ion-ion interactions, and their effects on optical properties and laser action. The second part treats specific solid-state laser materials, the prototypical ruby and Nd-YAG systems being treated in greatest detail; and the book concludes with a discussion of novel and non-standard materials. Some knowledge of quantum mechanics and solid-state physics is assumed, but the discussion is as self-contained as possible, making this an excellent reference, as well as useful for independent study.

The Properties of Optical Glass introduces to the physical and chemical fundamentals of optical glasses and gives a survey of their properties with respect to a great variety of applications. The contributions are written by experts of SCHOTT, one of the world's main companies producing special glasses for science and technology. The book will help both engineers and scientists to find their optimum type of special glass whatever the application should be: a consumer and industrial product or a sophisticated application in research and development.

Laser heterodyning is now a widespread optical technique, based on interference of two waves with slightly different frequencies within the sensitive area of a photo-detector. Its unique feature preserving phase information about optical wave in the electrical signal of the photo-detector finds numerous applications in various domains of applied optics and optoelectronics: in spectroscopy, polarimetry, radiometry, laser radars and lidars, microscopy and other areas. The reader may be surprised by the variety of disciplines that this book covers and satisfied by detailed explanation of the phenomena. Very well illustrated, this book will be helpful for researches, postgraduates and students, working in applied optics.