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Introduction to Fourier Optics

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The second edition of this respected text considerably expands the original and reflects the tremendous advances made in the discipline since 1968. All material has been thoroughly updated and several new sections explore recent progress in important areas, such as wavelength modulation, analog information processing, and holography. Fourier analysis is a ubiquitous tool with applications in diverse areas of physics and engineering. This book explores these applications in the field of optics with a special emphasis on applications to diffraction, imaging, optical data processing, and holography. This book can be used as a textbook to satisfy the needs of several different types of courses, and it is directed toward both engineers ad physicists. By varying the emphasis on different topics and specific applications, the book can be used successfully in a wide range of basic Fourier Optics or Optical Signal Processing courses.

287 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

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Joseph Goodman

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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
6 reviews1 follower
February 3, 2011
This is the classic introduction for senior undergrads and grad students to Fourier optics. I have a few critiques on the organization and content, but overall it's one of the best sources out there for learning the topic.

1) Too little focus is given to the angular spectrum treatment of diffraction and too much to the analysis of the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction integral, in my opinion. From a practical standpoint, the angular spectrum is of much more use in the laboratory and for understanding optical setups.

2) The book seems to be divided in purpose; the first six chapters teach the foundations of Fourier Optics while the remaining chapters serve as a summary of what's been done within the literature. Readers might be better served by a book that focuses exclusively on the theory and concepts, especially since much of the later material (analog optical processing, film-based holography) is somewhat outdated and has found little use outside of very specific applications where digital image processing has failed to achieve success.

3) More treatment of coherence theory and Fourier techniques in light scattering would be appreciated.

Overall, though, the book is succinct, precise, and clear.
14 reviews
December 11, 2022
Excellent introductory book that goes from Classical Maxwell equations and proceeds to scalar diffraction theory. It has many straightforward but informative problems that are good for self study. If you study optics, this is highly recommended.
5 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2018
Good progression of topics. Great writing. Also great for self-teaching.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews

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