Optical Principles (Volume 1 of the 7th Edition)

Author: (German) Born, (American) Wolf, translated by Yang Jiasun et al.
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-08-08
Features: The new edition of Principles of Optics provides a ladder for young people aspiring to climb the peak of optics, if not the Bible itself. The new edition of Principles of Optics reveals to people that mastering fundamental theories is the foundation for development and innovation, with deep roots and lush leaves, strong stems and flourishing branches. — Professor Mu Tongguang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of the Chinese Optical Society. This book was first published in 1959 and is the predecessor of OPtik by Nobel laureate Max Born. The current newest edition is the 7th edition of 1999. Principles of Optics is widely known abroad as "BornWolf" and has sold over 300,000 copies. In fact, every optically trained professional has studied this book and been deeply influenced by it. For nearly half a century, "BornWolf" has been an indispensable work on the physics bookshelf and has become the foundational textbook in the field of optics. The new edition of this classic optical work of the 20th century has undergone unprecedented revision and expansion. New topics include the inclusion of CAT scans. A new section has been added to the diffraction chapter, incorporating the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld theory. Through broadband light Young's experiments, the spatial coherence of light and its effect on its spectrum are analyzed. A new chapter on scalar and electromagnetic scattering has been added, including: deriving and discussing the optical cross-section theorem; deriving and discussing Born series and Rytov series; an introduction to diffraction tomography. A new appendix includes: deriving energy conservation in scalar wavefields; Jones's lemma on certain asymptotic behaviors of integrals. This book is a classic and renowned work in the field of optics. Based on Maxwell's macroscopic electromagnetic theory, it systematically elaborates on the propagation of light in various media, including reflection, refraction, polarization, dispersion, interference, diffraction, scattering, as well as optical metals (absorbing media) and crystal optics (anisotropic media). Geometrical optics is also included as a limiting case (wavelength λ → 0) within the Maxwell equations system, and the aberration problems in optical imaging are discussed from the perspective of diffraction. The new edition has added topics such as computer tomography, broadband light interference, and light scattering in non-uniform media. This book is rich in citations and covers a wide range, tracing back to history and extending to modern times, as well as related disciplines and applications, thus providing readers with a broad perspective and ample space for exploration. The book consists of fifteen chapters and is published in two volumes in the Chinese translation. The first volume includes "Historical Introduction" and the first eight chapters, with most of the content being foundational. The second volume includes the last seven chapters and appendices, with more advanced content. This book is both fundamental, systematic, and academically rigorous, making it suitable for reading and reference by optical teaching and research personnel, including senior undergraduate and graduate students. [Preface] Since the publication of Principles of Optics by M. Born and E. Wolf in 1959, the field of optics has undergone unimaginable and unprecedented changes in the nearly half-century since. Especially with the birth and development of lasers and fiber-optic communication technologies, it is not an exaggeration to say that optics has driven the progress of modern economies and societies, becoming an important technological pillar of the new century. More people are studying optics, more people are researching light, and more industries based on optical science and technology are emerging. People's desire to deeply understand light has become stronger, no longer satisfied with general professional readings that only describe phenomena and narrate technologies. People now demand to fundamentally master the laws of light and control it at a basic level. For this reason, Principles of Optics, which is based on the electromagnetic wave theory of light (Maxwell's equations) and provides a systematic and in-depth discussion of the propagation, interference, diffraction of light, and optical systems, has attracted generations of readers worldwide and has remained popular for nearly half a century. Some even call Principles of Optics the "Bible" of studying optics, yet it has not faded because it does not cover modern microscopic and quantum optics such as lasers. Now, Professor Yang Jiasun of Peking University, who once translated the 5th edition (1975) of Principles of Optics, has painstakingly refined the 7th edition (1999) of Principles of Optics into Chinese for the readers, despite being nearly eighty years old. I deeply admire Professor Yang's foresight in valuing fundamentals and his exemplary spirit of working diligently in the forefront. The new edition of Principles of Optics provides a ladder for young people aspiring to climb the peak of optics, if not the Bible itself. The new edition of Principles of Optics reveals to people that mastering fundamental theories is the foundation for development and innovation, with deep roots and lush leaves, strong stems and flourishing branches. However, we cannot fail to see that the book does not cover the fundamental theories at the forefront of the era, such as those in lasers and fiber-optic communication. This shortcoming will naturally be addressed by readers seeking other excellent works. Regardless, as a foundational work, Principles of Optics retains its position in classical science and does not fade with time. While cherishing, protecting, and learning from it, I would like to express my highest respect to the original authors M. Born and E. Wolf, and extend my sincere condolences and heartfelt thanks to the translators, Professor Yang Jiasun, and the editors of the publishing house.