Book excerpt: It has been five years since the publication of the first edition of Microoptics Technology. In that time, optical technology has experienced an unparalleled burst of activity that has produced a body of significant real results that have advanced new materials, devices, and systems. Building on the foundation of the first edition, this comprehensive reference presents an introduction and review of the optics and methods of microoptic elements with particular emphasis on lenses and lens arrays. The author explores advances that emerged from the flurry of activity over the last five years. With two new chapters and another fully expanded, the book covers current and new methods of fabrication of microlenses, as well as refractive, GRIN, and diffractive methods. It also includes chapters on optical devices that utilize the microoptic fabrication methods, including micro-diffraction gratings and optical isolators, together with a discussion of a number of important applications. See what's new in the Second Edition: Coverage of negative refractive index materials Information on femto second laser interaction with materials Chapter on photonic crystal has been extensively expanded The first edition was the first resource to collect all microlens fabrication methods into a single volume. With more than 600 references, tables, equations, drawings, and photographs, Microoptics Technology, Second Edition replaces its predecessor as the gold standard reference in this field.