The story of light science : from early theories to today's extraordinary applications. / Dennis F. Vanderwerf.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Vanderwerf, Dennis F. (Dennis Frank)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Light.

Physics.

Optics, Lasers, Photonics, Optical Devices.

Popular Science in Physics.

History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics.

Microwaves, RF and Optical Engineering.

Local Subjects:

Optics, Lasers, Photonics, Optical Devices.

Popular Science in Physics.

History and Philosophical Foundations of Physics.

Microwaves, RF and Optical Engineering.

Physical Description:

332 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Cham, Switzerland : Springer, [2017]

Summary:

This book traces the evolution of our understanding and utilization of light from classical antiquity and the early thoughts of Pythagoras to the present time. From the earliest recorded theories and experiments to the latest applications in photonic communication and computation, the ways in which light has been put to use are numerous and astounding. Indeed, some of the latest advances in light science are in fields that until recently belonged to the realm of science fiction. The author, writing for an audience of both students and other scientifically interested readers, describes fundamental investigations of the nature of light and ongoing methods to measure its speed as well as the emergence of the wave theory of light and the complementary photon theory. The importance of light in the theory of relativity is discussed as is the development of electrically-driven light sources and lasers. The information here covers the range of weak single-photon light sources to super-high^ power lasers and synchrotron light sources. Many cutting-edge topics are also introduced, including entanglement-based quantum communication through optical fibers and free space, quantum teleportation, and quantum computing. The nature and use of "squeezed light" - e.g. for gravitational wave detection - is another fascinating excursion, as is the topic of fabricated metamaterials, as used to create invisibility cloaks. Here the reader also learns about the realization of extremely slow speed and time-reversed light. The theories, experiments, and applications described in this book are, whenever possible, derived from original references. The many annotated drawings and level of detail make clear the goals, procedures, and conclusions of the original investigators. Where they are required, all specialist terms and mathematical symbols are defined and explained. The final part of the book covers light experi ments in the free space of the cosmos, and also speculates about scenarios fo r the cosmological origins of light and the expected fate of the photon in a dying universe. The final part of the book covers light experiments in the free space of the cosmos, and also speculates about scenarios for the cosmological origins of light and the expected fate of the photon in a dying universe.

Contents:

Emergent Theories of Light and Measurements of Light Speed

Light as an Electromagnetic Wave

Light and its Application to Relativity

The Quantum Nature of Light

Natural and Artificial Sources of Light

Laser Light

Variation and Control of Light Propagation Properties

Quantum Mechanics of the Photon

Quantum Applications of the Photon

Light and the Cosmos.- Lorentz contraction of a modern spacecraft.- A derivation of E = mc2

Time dilation and muon lifetime calculations.- Derivation of Wien's displacement law from Planck's law.- Combustion-based light sources

Multiple-laser white light illumination

Circuit model calculations for Deutsch's algorithm

Timeline of some notable Achievements in Light Science

A Selection of Additional Readings

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9783319643151

3319643150

OCLC:

992747720