Book excerpt: The most comprehensive and up-to-date optics resource available Prepared under the auspices of the Optical Society of America, the five carefully architected and cross-referenced volumes of the Handbook of Optics, Third Edition, contain everything a student, scientist, or engineer requires to actively work in the field. From the design of complex optical systems to world-class research and development methods, this definitive publication provides unparalleled access to the fundamentals of the discipline and its greatest minds. Individual chapters are written by the world's most renowned experts who explain, illustrate, and solve the entire field of optics. Each volume contains a complete chapter listing for the entire Handbook, extensive chapter glossaries, and a wealth of references. This pioneering work offers unprecedented coverage of optics data, techniques, and applications. Volume I covers geometrical and physical optics, polarized light, components, and instruments. Volume II covers design, fabrications, testing, sources, detectors, radiometry, and photometry. Volume III, all in full color, covers vision and vision optics. Volume IV covers optical properties of materials, nonlinear optics, and quantum optics. Volume V covers atmospheric optics, modulators, fiber optics, and x-ray and neutron optics. Visit www.HandbookofOpticsOnline.com to search all five volumes and download a comprehensive index.