Book excerpt: The Vol.1 devoted to various topics of optics and optic instrumentation, and contains 17 chapters written by 36 experts in the field from 15 countries: Brazil, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, Slovenia, South Korea, UK, Ukraine and USA. 'Advances in Optics: Reviews' Book Series is a comprehensive study of the field of optics, which provides readers with the most up-to-date coverage of optics, photonics and lasers with a good balance of practical and theoretical aspects. Directed towards both physicists and engineers this Book Series is also suitable for audiences focusing on applications of optics. A clear comprehensive presentation makes these books work well as both a teaching resources and a reference books. The book is intended for researchers and scientists in physics and optics, in academia and industry, as well as postgraduate students.