Nonlinear Optics

by Robert W. Boyd

Nonlinear Optics is an advanced textbook for courses dealing with nonlinear optics, quantum electronics, laser physics, contemporary and quantum optics, and electrooptics. Its pedagogical emphasis is on fundamentals rather than particular, transitory applications. As a result, this textbook will have lasting appeal to a wide audience of electrical engineering, physics, and optics students, as well as those in related fields such as materials science and chemistry.

Key Features
* The origin of optical nonlinearities, including dependence on the polarization of light
* A detailed treatment of the quantum theory of the nonlinear susceptibility
* An explication of dressed-atomic states of two-level atoms
* A complete development of spontaneous and stimulated light scattering
* A clear discussion of the photorefractive effect
* An introduction to applications including laser frequency modification, optical phase conjugation, optical bistability, and propagation of optical soliton

Genres: Physics, Textbooks, Science

456 pages, Hardcover

Published October 22, 1991

About the author

Robert William Boyd is an American physicist noted for his work in optical physics and especially in nonlinear optics. He is currently Canada Excellence Research Chair in Quantum Nonlinear Optics at the University of Ottawa and on the Faculty at the University of Rochester.

Robert Boyd was born in Buffalo, New York. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley. His Ph.D. thesis was supervised by Charles Townes and involves the use of nonlinear optical techniques in infrared detection for astronomy. Professor Boyd joined the faculty of the University of Rochester in 1977, and in 2001 became the M. Parker Givens Professor of Optics and Professor of Physics. In 2010 he became Professor of Physics and Canada Excellence Research Chair in Quantum Nonlinear Optics at the University of Ottawa. His research interests include studies of “slow” and “fast” light propagation, quantum imaging techniques, nonlinear optical interactions, studies of the nonlinear optical properties of materials, and the development of photonic devices including photonic biosensors. Professor Boyd has written two books, co-edited two anthologies, published over 300 research papers, and been awarded five patents. He is the 2009 recipient of the Willis E. Lamb Award for Laser Science and Quantum Optics. Prof. Boyd is a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), the Optical Society of America (OSA), and SPIE. He is a past chair of the Division of Laser Science of APS and has been a member of the Board of Directors of OSA. He has also served as an APS representative and chair of the Joint Council on Quantum Electronics (it is joint among APS, OSA and IEEE/LEOS). Prof. Boyd has served as a member of the Board of Editors of Physical Review Letters and of the Board of Reviewing Editors of Science Magazine, and is on the Board of Advisors of the Templeton Foundation. He has an h-index of 64 (according to Google Scholar) and 54 (according to the Web of Science).

Reviews

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good gentle introduction to non-linear optics (and optics in media in general). I read the 3rd edition, very few errors at this point. I'm a big fan of this book. It requires at least an introductory course to Quantum mechanics before proceeding. it also helps to have some familiarity with lasers as it can help with the experimental context you can do the experiments.

my one wish is for the problems to be a bit clearer and came with diagrams.

[Bassel Eldeeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man is a modern genius!

[Hannah Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fundamental problems incapsulating the teachings from undergraduate optics and maths curriculum.

[Justin Spring · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ::heart:: nonlinear optics!!