This book demonstrates how to model the entire target acquisition process using either visible or infrared imaging systems. Beginning with an overview on electro-optical system design, the text introduces the complexity of various design considerations. A discussion of the differing types of visible and infrared sensors outlines basic wavelength issues and provides definitions of baseline hardware solutions.

Designed as a text for a one-semester, nonmathematical optics course at the undergraduate level, this profusely illustrated text was written with art majors in mind, but is also suitable for students of fashion, theater, photography, and the liberal arts. The book is divided into four parts: Part I discusses the nature of light, including early ideas of light (a newly revised chapter for this edition), and classical and modern theories. Part II concerns the manipulation of light, including such topics as geometrical optics, polarization, lasers, and holography; Part 3 treats vision, including the eye and seeing; while Part IV concerns color: light and color in nature and color science. Three appendices deal with lens and mirror equations, Snell's law, and scientific notation. Questions at the end of each chapter help students test their grasp of the material, which is presented in an almost completely nonmathematical manner, a fact sure to give this book wide appeal to students and anyone curious about one of the most ubiquitous, yet mysterious, phenomena of nature. Revised republication of the work published by Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1983. Preface. Appendices. 170 line and halftone illustrations. 4 tables. Index.