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Thin-film optical filters: 3rd edition
Optics and Lasers in Engineering 37 (2002) 673–675
Book review Thin-film optical filters: 3rd edition H.A. Macleod; Thin Film Centre Inc., Tuscon, Arizona & University of Arizona, USA, Institute of Physics Publishing, 2001, 672pp., price d70.00, ISBN 0-7503-0688-2
This is the third edition of this title by one, if not the foremost, of the exponents in the field of thin-film and optical coatings. The first edition was published in 1969, while Dr. Macleod was a lecturer in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, and was already one of the world’s foremost experimenters in the field. The second edition was published in 1985, just after Dr. Macleod moved to be the Professor at the Thin-film Centre at the University of Tucson, Arizona, USA. This third edition has been published in 2001 whilst Prof. Macleod is still in Tucson, now holding the title of Professor Emeritus of Optical Science. It is obvious from the details of his career that Angus knows more about optical coatings, both in terms of design and of fabrication than most of us put together. It is therefore quite expected that I feel free to state that, in my opinion, this book is a necessity, rather on a par with having the use of a coating facility, a good coating programme and a fast computer, for anybody in the field of thin-film optical coatings and filters. Therefore, if you are new in this field, your first priority should be to make sure that you have the undivided use of a copy of this book. However, why should anybody who is already in the field, and possibly owns at least one of the earlier versions of the book, buy another? The answer must be that the deposition technology has improved so much over the intervening years that the enormous improvements in performance and particularly in environmental stability have opened up applications that were only pipe dreams even ten years ago. These applications encompass such fields as ultra-fast and ultra high-power lasers, astronomy, satellite operation and protection, fibre-optic communications, holography, displays and the whole area of coatings with very specific properties. The book starts with a comprehensive, but not incomprehensible, chapter on the basic theory of thin film optical properties and performance. This chapter is so basic and necessary for a real understanding of the subject that all workers in the field ought to sit for an examination into the subject. The text then considers (Chapters 3–8) anti-reflection coatings, neutral mirrors and beam-splitters, multilayer high reflectance coatings, edge filters, band-pass filters and tilted coatings. Chapters 9–12 cover the thin-film production technologies, the range of deposition materials and their properties, layer uniformity and thickness,
674
Book review / Optics and Lasers in Engineering 37 (2002) 673–675
and the specification of filters plus a discussion of their physical and environmental properties. Chapter 13 discusses the applications of filters and coatings in a system context. Chapter 14 continues with a discussion of Rugate filters, ultra-fast coatings and the methodology of optimising (refinement and synthesis) the optical properties of coatings. The text concludes with a tabulation of the fabrication techniques, properties and characteristics of most coating materials together with a comprehensive index. Each chapter has its own reference index and these form an excellent start for anybody wishing to look at the history of the subject. All-in-all, the book is a good statement of the state of the art of thin-film deposition theory and practice at the turn of the millenium. The only sorrow I have is that the text does not cover the field of Rugate filters, particularly the fabrication and optical performance which can be gained by using a continuously varying index, in such a comprehensive manner as the rest of the technology. However, this is a small gripe in the face of a monumental tour-de-force which will set the standard for many years to come, even granted that there is bound to be continued progress in the subject due to the importance of optical technology in today’s world. Here’s looking forward to edition 4, in about 2010. Roger M. Wood Cosolas Ltd., Sunnyside Cottage, Bromsberrow Heath, Ledbury, Glos. HR8 1PF, UK E-mail address: bromesberrow [email protected] PII: S 0 1 4 3 - 8 1 6 6 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 1 6 1 - 0
Lens design, 3rd edition, revised and expanded Milton Laikin; Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, Basel, 2001, 474 pages, Price US $165, ISBN 0-8247-0507-6
Optics has become an integral part of many scientific disciplines and is also recognized as a key contributor to economically important applications in many areas, such as information technology and telecommunications, manufacturing, medicine and biotechnology. Following this trend, many excellent books on optical engineering and photonics have been published over the past 10 years. However, only few give information about lens design and none gives detailed material for the design of a wide range of lens systems. This lack in basic optics is reflected in optical education too. Topics such as lens and optical system design are generally not properly included in the various curricula in optical science and education. Countries with a long tradition in optics, such as Germany, have, however, recognized this problem and directed their effort in research and education more to this strategic
Book review Thin-film optical filters: 3rd edition H.A. Macleod; Thin Film Centre Inc., Tuscon, Arizona & University of Arizona, USA, Institute of Physics Publishing, 2001, 672pp., price d70.00, ISBN 0-7503-0688-2
This is the third edition of this title by one, if not the foremost, of the exponents in the field of thin-film and optical coatings. The first edition was published in 1969, while Dr. Macleod was a lecturer in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK, and was already one of the world’s foremost experimenters in the field. The second edition was published in 1985, just after Dr. Macleod moved to be the Professor at the Thin-film Centre at the University of Tucson, Arizona, USA. This third edition has been published in 2001 whilst Prof. Macleod is still in Tucson, now holding the title of Professor Emeritus of Optical Science. It is obvious from the details of his career that Angus knows more about optical coatings, both in terms of design and of fabrication than most of us put together. It is therefore quite expected that I feel free to state that, in my opinion, this book is a necessity, rather on a par with having the use of a coating facility, a good coating programme and a fast computer, for anybody in the field of thin-film optical coatings and filters. Therefore, if you are new in this field, your first priority should be to make sure that you have the undivided use of a copy of this book. However, why should anybody who is already in the field, and possibly owns at least one of the earlier versions of the book, buy another? The answer must be that the deposition technology has improved so much over the intervening years that the enormous improvements in performance and particularly in environmental stability have opened up applications that were only pipe dreams even ten years ago. These applications encompass such fields as ultra-fast and ultra high-power lasers, astronomy, satellite operation and protection, fibre-optic communications, holography, displays and the whole area of coatings with very specific properties. The book starts with a comprehensive, but not incomprehensible, chapter on the basic theory of thin film optical properties and performance. This chapter is so basic and necessary for a real understanding of the subject that all workers in the field ought to sit for an examination into the subject. The text then considers (Chapters 3–8) anti-reflection coatings, neutral mirrors and beam-splitters, multilayer high reflectance coatings, edge filters, band-pass filters and tilted coatings. Chapters 9–12 cover the thin-film production technologies, the range of deposition materials and their properties, layer uniformity and thickness,
674
Book review / Optics and Lasers in Engineering 37 (2002) 673–675
and the specification of filters plus a discussion of their physical and environmental properties. Chapter 13 discusses the applications of filters and coatings in a system context. Chapter 14 continues with a discussion of Rugate filters, ultra-fast coatings and the methodology of optimising (refinement and synthesis) the optical properties of coatings. The text concludes with a tabulation of the fabrication techniques, properties and characteristics of most coating materials together with a comprehensive index. Each chapter has its own reference index and these form an excellent start for anybody wishing to look at the history of the subject. All-in-all, the book is a good statement of the state of the art of thin-film deposition theory and practice at the turn of the millenium. The only sorrow I have is that the text does not cover the field of Rugate filters, particularly the fabrication and optical performance which can be gained by using a continuously varying index, in such a comprehensive manner as the rest of the technology. However, this is a small gripe in the face of a monumental tour-de-force which will set the standard for many years to come, even granted that there is bound to be continued progress in the subject due to the importance of optical technology in today’s world. Here’s looking forward to edition 4, in about 2010. Roger M. Wood Cosolas Ltd., Sunnyside Cottage, Bromsberrow Heath, Ledbury, Glos. HR8 1PF, UK E-mail address: bromesberrow [email protected] PII: S 0 1 4 3 - 8 1 6 6 ( 0 1 ) 0 0 1 6 1 - 0
Lens design, 3rd edition, revised and expanded Milton Laikin; Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, Basel, 2001, 474 pages, Price US $165, ISBN 0-8247-0507-6
Optics has become an integral part of many scientific disciplines and is also recognized as a key contributor to economically important applications in many areas, such as information technology and telecommunications, manufacturing, medicine and biotechnology. Following this trend, many excellent books on optical engineering and photonics have been published over the past 10 years. However, only few give information about lens design and none gives detailed material for the design of a wide range of lens systems. This lack in basic optics is reflected in optical education too. Topics such as lens and optical system design are generally not properly included in the various curricula in optical science and education. Countries with a long tradition in optics, such as Germany, have, however, recognized this problem and directed their effort in research and education more to this strategic