Optical Materials and Applications

Preface

Light propagates in free space with the velocity of 2.997925 m/s^–1 as a wave spatially and a collection of photons with an energy of ε = hν. Various kinds of optical materials or media are developed to utilize the fundamental natural phenomena of light. Many types of refractive and reflective optical systems consisting of lenses and mirrors have been developed for the simple manipulation of the spatial distribution of light. To design the optical system with a specific character, the materials to conform the system must have desired optical spectra for transmission and reflection. Also to design a certain active element, desired absorption and emission spectra are required. A fundamental review of typical active materials such as LASER ...