This book is intended to provide an expert guidance through the properties of photonic crystal fibers, with a specific focus on the telecommunication aspects. The authors believe that photonic crystal fibers can revolutionize the field of guided optics and its applications, especially when considering signal processing and specific functions rather than the usage in long distance transmission. They provide a deep analysis of how the physical and geometrical characteristics of these new fibers can be tailored to achieve the goal of ad hoc performances, using the powerful numerical approach of the finite element method, and keeping in mind the possibilities and limits of photonic crystal fiber fabrication technology.

Photonic crystal fibers, also known as microstructured or holey fibers, have recently generated great interest in the scientific community thanks to the new ways provided to control and guide light, not obtainable with conventional optical fibers. Proposed for the first time in the 90 s, photonic crystal fibers have driven an exciting and irrepressible research activity all over the World, starting in the telecommunication field and then touching metrology, spectroscopy, microscopy, astronomy, micromachining, biology and sensing.

This book is intended to provide an expert guidance through the properties of photonic crystal fibers, with a specific focus on the telecommunication aspects. The authors believe that photonic crystal fibers can revolutionize the field of guided optics and its applications, especially when considering signal processing and specific functions rather than the usage in long distance transmission. They provide a deep analysis of how the physical and geometrical characteristics of these new fibers can be tailored to achieve the goal of ad hoc performances, using the powerful numerical approach of the finite element method, and keeping in mind the possibilities and limits of photonic crystal fiber fabrication technology."

Photonics originated as a research discipline during the 1960s, with the invention and production of the first lasers. The development of these optical sources was followed in the 1970s by the large-scale deployment of optical fibers, as a medium for information transmission by means of light beams. In the years that followed, scientific research and constant technological development fostered a revolution in the telecommunications field. The association of photonics with other disciplines opened new horizons, unimaginable just a few decades ago. This volume, as it contains material intended for prospective telecommunications and electronic engineers who are going to professionally design optics-based devices and subsystems, it also presents the basic notions to approach further disciplines with which photonics may pro tably interact.

"You love righteousness and hate wickedness, therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Psalm 45:7) "This is more than a book, this is a life. You will step back in time to an era that most of us never experienced, but you will be enriched as you see life through the eyes of a little girl suffering Great-Depression era hardships. As you read, not only will you get to know Cynthia better, but you will see and appreciate the ways of God in a new light. I am pleased to commend to you my sister and friend, Cynthia Cucinotta, and this delightful recollection of her profound life experiences." Bob Sorge, Author, oasishouse.com "When someone sees a person who radiates the joy of the Lord, one may ask, 'What are the ingredients to make such a vessel of honor?' With a life full of challenges, Cynthia answers the question by simply giving a very personal account of her life's journey. In her book, Vignettes From The Vine, she shares personal, heart-warming stories of how she has responded to the hand of God in her life, even when she was not aware. For her, these steps, both negative and positive, have given her insights into Godly principles by which each of us can gain a wealth of knowledge. In every vignette, she has summed up her experiences with some concrete 'life's lessons'. I am sure the reader will not only enjoy this account but will be able to identify with many of the same experiences." Rev. Paul Johansson, Chancellor Elim Bible Institute, Lima New York Founder, NY School of Urban Ministry

This book presents research in the study of current politics and economics of South and Central America. Topics discussed include U.S.-Latin America trade; the proposed U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement; agriculture in pending U.S. free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea; Mexico-U.S. relations; Argentina's defaulted sovereign debt; politics and economic conditions of Paraguay and Uruguay; Brazil's WTO case against the U.S. Cotton Program and gangs in Central America.

Biofuels is a collective term for liquid fuels derived from renewable sources, including ethanol, biodiesel, and other renewable liquid fuels. This book addresses the ethanol and biodiesel markets and presents data on biofuels consumption, production, imports and exports, prices and producer margins, and infrastructure.