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Optics
CONFERENCES International conference on optical methods in scientific and industrial measurements Tokyo,
Japan, 25-30
August 1974
This conference was held at the Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo and attracted 450 participants from 17 countries. It was organized by the Science Council of Japan and sponsored by the International Commission for Optics, the Japan Society of Applied Physics, and the Spectroscopical Society of Japan. The main subject areas covered were ‘Methods of measurements of light in extreme conditions’ and ‘New measuring techniques based on physical optics’. In addition to 91 contributed papers there were 9 invited lectures and an opening lecture. These were presented in 16 sessions under the headings: diffraction gratings, holography, spectroscopy, speckle patterns, diverse measurements, polarized light, short pulses of light, coherence measurement and Doppler velocimetry, Moire patterns, very weak light, and pollution measurement. In the opening session, Professor Kinosita, chairman of the Organizing Committee, gave an address of welcome. This was followed by speeches from Professor Ochi, president of the Science Council of Japan, and Dr. W. H. Steel, president of the International Commission for Optics. The session proceeded with the opening lecture, entitled ‘Frequency measurement in the optical region and the speed of light’, which was given by K. M. Evenson of the National Bureau of Standards, USA. The meeting of the Bureau of the International Commission for Optics was held in the evening of 27 August and was attended by seven of the eight members. Two other, related, meetings were held to sieze the opportunity presented by the ICO Conference. One of them was the Symposium on Diffraction Gratings and Grating Instruments. This was
held on 3 1 August, alsoat the Takanawa Prince Hotel. The other meeting was the 1974 International Laser Radar Conference, which was held in Sendai from 3-6 September. ‘The exhibition of three-dimensional imaging techniques’, organized by the Japan Optical Engineering Research Association and supported by the Japan Society of Applied Physics, was open from 28-30 August at Sankei International Hall. Participants of the ICO Conference were invited to visit the exhibition. The conference impressed many people that ICO plays an important role in the exchange of the results of optical research throughout the world, and that contemporary optics is making rapid progress and contributing much to scientific and industrial development. The proceedings, which include all the papers given at the conference, will be published as a supplement to the Japanese Journal of Applied Physics (JJAP) in March 1975. A copy will be sent to each participant of the conference. Those who wish to obtain the proceedings are asked to contact the JJAP publishing office. One of the greatest difficulties experienced by the conference secretary was the extent of delayed registration. Many participants registered at the conference desk on the first day. It was impossible to estimate the number of participants and this caused problems. Co-operation through early registration is much needed. After the conference, Dr W. H. Steel wrote to the Organizing Committee, ‘We were all most impressed, both by the high scientific standard of the talks and by the hospitality that we received’. We are honoured by his complement and feel rewarded for our work. K. I? Miyake
BOOKS in general cover these major new lines of progress. The authors of this book have as their aim the production of a text to cover the old and the new; to familiarize the reader with Q switching, second harmonic generation, coherence length and the like.
Optics E. Heck,
A. Zajac
Addison-Wesley
1973, pp 565, &9.35
The old and venerable science of optics is moving in new directions and subjects such as spatial filtering, fibre optics, thin filters, non-linear optics, laser optics, Fourier optics, coherence theory, and quantum optics are those with which the optical scientist of today must have some knowledge and understanding. Such well known textbooks as those by Drude, Sommerfeld, Wood, Ditchburn, Born and Wolf, and Jenkins and White, invaluable as they still are, do not
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY.
APRIL
1975
A brief but interesting review of the history of optics, ranging from the mirrors of 1200 BC to the laser of 1960 AD is given by way of introduction in the first chapter. The mathematics of wave motion, electro-magnetic theory, photons and light, and the propagation of light occupy three chapters. Two chapters are devoted to geometrical optics. The first covers thin lenses, stops, mirrors, prisms, and their combination in optical systems. Paraxial theory is used. The second examines thick lenses and aberrations
91
and briefly covers matrix methods. erized lens design is recognized.
The advent of comput-
As an introduction to chapters on polarization, interference, and diffraction there is a chapter on the superposition of waves which adequately covers the fundamental concepts. Polarization is carefully explained but with no great depth of mathematical insight. However the inclusion of matrix methods of description is a welcome addition. Interference is adequately covered with good illustrations and a suffciently mathematical background. Diffraction is extensively treated although the balance between the simple Huygens Fresnel theory and Kirchhoff scalar theory may be considered to be wrong by some. A good basic introduction to Fourier optics is given in a chapter with that title. The chapter on ‘Basics of coherence theory’ is useful, for this is an area of very active research. It must not be forgotten that optics also embraces quantum considerations and the material on this, although not profound, shows the interlinking of the ideas of quantum mechanics and optics. The final chapter is a miscellany of topics from contemporary optics; it includes spatial imagery, lasers, and holography, and is descriptive rather than erudite. There is a bibliography of all well known books and some references to periodicals. Each chapter has a set of problems and the complete solutions to about 60% of these are given. The authors have undoubtedly made a good attempt to produce a text for the student of modern optics. There is an abundance of clear diagrams, the content is lucid, and the coverage is comprehensive. It might be argued that the mixture of the old and new is not entirely correct. The
square pages lead to a cumbersome volume and give the impression of wasted space. Also, the price will make the general adoption of this book by students unlikely but it certainly merits consideration and a place in the library. IY G. Jerrard Image intensifiers: technology, requirements, and applications Edited by A. D. Schnitzler,
performance,
h4. W. Klein
Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers: Volume 42, 1974, pp 198, S29.00 The 17th annual technical meeting with this title was held in San Diego, California from 27-29 August 1973. This publication contains the text of a number of papers together with a few abstracts of contributions presented at this ‘Seminar-in-depth’. The subject matter is certainly dealt with ‘in depth’, with the book containing five separate sections, dealing in turn with: ‘Image intensifiers’, ‘Components’, ‘Law enforcement and military applications’, ‘Astronomical applications’, and ‘Biomedical applications’. These sections decrease in amount of subject matter roughly in the same order, although this is probably a fair indication of the present state of the image intensifier scene. Most of the accomplishments have so far been achieved in the field of devices and equipment, whilst the applications, in particular the non-military ones, are still very much in the stage of tentative exploration. This situation is quite apparent from the contributions on applications which leave the reader with the impression that there is still im-
Paya visit to
LASER75
Munich’sInternational Exhibition for EIectro- OpticaISy.stems and theirApplication
24027June1975 Inf&mation ExhibitionConsultantsLtd 11ManchesterSquare london WIM 5AB Tel 01-486 1951 Telex 24591
!a2
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY.
APRIL
1975
Japan, 25-30
August 1974
This conference was held at the Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo and attracted 450 participants from 17 countries. It was organized by the Science Council of Japan and sponsored by the International Commission for Optics, the Japan Society of Applied Physics, and the Spectroscopical Society of Japan. The main subject areas covered were ‘Methods of measurements of light in extreme conditions’ and ‘New measuring techniques based on physical optics’. In addition to 91 contributed papers there were 9 invited lectures and an opening lecture. These were presented in 16 sessions under the headings: diffraction gratings, holography, spectroscopy, speckle patterns, diverse measurements, polarized light, short pulses of light, coherence measurement and Doppler velocimetry, Moire patterns, very weak light, and pollution measurement. In the opening session, Professor Kinosita, chairman of the Organizing Committee, gave an address of welcome. This was followed by speeches from Professor Ochi, president of the Science Council of Japan, and Dr. W. H. Steel, president of the International Commission for Optics. The session proceeded with the opening lecture, entitled ‘Frequency measurement in the optical region and the speed of light’, which was given by K. M. Evenson of the National Bureau of Standards, USA. The meeting of the Bureau of the International Commission for Optics was held in the evening of 27 August and was attended by seven of the eight members. Two other, related, meetings were held to sieze the opportunity presented by the ICO Conference. One of them was the Symposium on Diffraction Gratings and Grating Instruments. This was
held on 3 1 August, alsoat the Takanawa Prince Hotel. The other meeting was the 1974 International Laser Radar Conference, which was held in Sendai from 3-6 September. ‘The exhibition of three-dimensional imaging techniques’, organized by the Japan Optical Engineering Research Association and supported by the Japan Society of Applied Physics, was open from 28-30 August at Sankei International Hall. Participants of the ICO Conference were invited to visit the exhibition. The conference impressed many people that ICO plays an important role in the exchange of the results of optical research throughout the world, and that contemporary optics is making rapid progress and contributing much to scientific and industrial development. The proceedings, which include all the papers given at the conference, will be published as a supplement to the Japanese Journal of Applied Physics (JJAP) in March 1975. A copy will be sent to each participant of the conference. Those who wish to obtain the proceedings are asked to contact the JJAP publishing office. One of the greatest difficulties experienced by the conference secretary was the extent of delayed registration. Many participants registered at the conference desk on the first day. It was impossible to estimate the number of participants and this caused problems. Co-operation through early registration is much needed. After the conference, Dr W. H. Steel wrote to the Organizing Committee, ‘We were all most impressed, both by the high scientific standard of the talks and by the hospitality that we received’. We are honoured by his complement and feel rewarded for our work. K. I? Miyake
BOOKS in general cover these major new lines of progress. The authors of this book have as their aim the production of a text to cover the old and the new; to familiarize the reader with Q switching, second harmonic generation, coherence length and the like.
Optics E. Heck,
A. Zajac
Addison-Wesley
1973, pp 565, &9.35
The old and venerable science of optics is moving in new directions and subjects such as spatial filtering, fibre optics, thin filters, non-linear optics, laser optics, Fourier optics, coherence theory, and quantum optics are those with which the optical scientist of today must have some knowledge and understanding. Such well known textbooks as those by Drude, Sommerfeld, Wood, Ditchburn, Born and Wolf, and Jenkins and White, invaluable as they still are, do not
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY.
APRIL
1975
A brief but interesting review of the history of optics, ranging from the mirrors of 1200 BC to the laser of 1960 AD is given by way of introduction in the first chapter. The mathematics of wave motion, electro-magnetic theory, photons and light, and the propagation of light occupy three chapters. Two chapters are devoted to geometrical optics. The first covers thin lenses, stops, mirrors, prisms, and their combination in optical systems. Paraxial theory is used. The second examines thick lenses and aberrations
91
and briefly covers matrix methods. erized lens design is recognized.
The advent of comput-
As an introduction to chapters on polarization, interference, and diffraction there is a chapter on the superposition of waves which adequately covers the fundamental concepts. Polarization is carefully explained but with no great depth of mathematical insight. However the inclusion of matrix methods of description is a welcome addition. Interference is adequately covered with good illustrations and a suffciently mathematical background. Diffraction is extensively treated although the balance between the simple Huygens Fresnel theory and Kirchhoff scalar theory may be considered to be wrong by some. A good basic introduction to Fourier optics is given in a chapter with that title. The chapter on ‘Basics of coherence theory’ is useful, for this is an area of very active research. It must not be forgotten that optics also embraces quantum considerations and the material on this, although not profound, shows the interlinking of the ideas of quantum mechanics and optics. The final chapter is a miscellany of topics from contemporary optics; it includes spatial imagery, lasers, and holography, and is descriptive rather than erudite. There is a bibliography of all well known books and some references to periodicals. Each chapter has a set of problems and the complete solutions to about 60% of these are given. The authors have undoubtedly made a good attempt to produce a text for the student of modern optics. There is an abundance of clear diagrams, the content is lucid, and the coverage is comprehensive. It might be argued that the mixture of the old and new is not entirely correct. The
square pages lead to a cumbersome volume and give the impression of wasted space. Also, the price will make the general adoption of this book by students unlikely but it certainly merits consideration and a place in the library. IY G. Jerrard Image intensifiers: technology, requirements, and applications Edited by A. D. Schnitzler,
performance,
h4. W. Klein
Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers: Volume 42, 1974, pp 198, S29.00 The 17th annual technical meeting with this title was held in San Diego, California from 27-29 August 1973. This publication contains the text of a number of papers together with a few abstracts of contributions presented at this ‘Seminar-in-depth’. The subject matter is certainly dealt with ‘in depth’, with the book containing five separate sections, dealing in turn with: ‘Image intensifiers’, ‘Components’, ‘Law enforcement and military applications’, ‘Astronomical applications’, and ‘Biomedical applications’. These sections decrease in amount of subject matter roughly in the same order, although this is probably a fair indication of the present state of the image intensifier scene. Most of the accomplishments have so far been achieved in the field of devices and equipment, whilst the applications, in particular the non-military ones, are still very much in the stage of tentative exploration. This situation is quite apparent from the contributions on applications which leave the reader with the impression that there is still im-
Paya visit to
LASER75
Munich’sInternational Exhibition for EIectro- OpticaISy.stems and theirApplication
24027June1975 Inf&mation ExhibitionConsultantsLtd 11ManchesterSquare london WIM 5AB Tel 01-486 1951 Telex 24591
!a2
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY.
APRIL
1975