Fundamentals of Photonics, 2 Volume Set, 3rd Edition

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

Since the publication of the Second Edition in 2007, Fundamentals of Photonics has maintained its worldwide prominence as a self-contained, up-to-date, introductory-level textbook that features a blend of theory and applications. It has been reprinted dozens of times and been translated into German and Chinese, as well as Czech and Japanese. The Third Edition incorporates many of the scientific and technological developments in photonics that have taken place in the past decade and strives to be cutting-edge.

Optics and Photonics

Before usage of the term photonics became commonplace at the time of the First Edition in the early 1990s, the field was characterized by a collection of appellations that were not always clearly delineated. Terms such as quantum electronics, optoelectronics, electro-optics, and lightwave technology were widely used. Though there was a lack of agreement about the precise meanings of these terms, there was nevertheless a vague consensus regarding their usage. Most of these terms have since receded from general use, although some have retained their presence in the titles of technical journals and academic courses.

Now, more than 25 years later, the term Optics along with the term Photonics, as well as their combination Optics & Photonics, have prevailed. The distinction between optics and photonics remains somewhat fuzzy, however, and there is a degree of overlap between the two arenas. Hence, there is some arbitrariness ...