Fourier Optics: An Introduction (Second Edition) (Dover Books on Physics) [Paperback]

E. G. Steward (Author), Physics (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Books on Physics | Publication Date: November 2, 2011

A straightforward introduction to the Fourier principles behind modern optics, this text is appropriate for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Topics include the Fraunhofer diffraction, Fourier series and periodic structures, Fourier transforms, optical imaging and processing, image reconstruction from projections (medical imaging), and interferometry and radiation sources. Solutions. 1989 edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; 2 edition (November 2, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486435040
• ISBN-13: 978-0486435046
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,260,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good introduction to Fourier transforms and optics, January 21, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Urbana, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Steward Optics (Ellis Horwood series in physics) (Hardcover)

This book is a good introduction to the theory of Fourier series, transforms, and optics. It assumes no previous knowledge of Fourier theory. Topics covered include the basics of Fourier series and transforms, the convolution theorem, coherent and incoherent imaging, and diffraction. Several example applications are treated as well, such as the theory of simple stellar and spectral interferometers.

Despite covering all of these topics, this is a short book (185 pages). The writing is clear but not overly mathematical. The book is a good general introduction for a scientist of engineering interested in Fourier optics, but it will not substitute for a more technical and rigorous treatment.

Paul Voyles

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than Hecht, March 12, 2006

By 

Michael M. Danziger (Venice, CA/Jerusalem, Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fourier Optics: An Introduction (Second Edition) (Dover Books on Physics) (Paperback)

I used this book side-by-side with Hecht for a course entitled "Fourier Theory in Optics". I found Steward to be much more clear and readable, though at times less mathematically rigorous than Hecht. For someone who wants to learn what Fourier Optics is, I highly recommend this book. Steward starts from the absolute basics of Physical Optics and builds up to relatively advanced applications of Fourier series and transforms as they relate to Optics.
One particular thing which I found he stresses more than Hecht is the relationship between the Fourier transform of the aperture function and the diffraction pattern. I found Hecht to be very unclear about this to the extent that you could read many pages of his description of Fourier series' and transforms and still have no idea what it has to do with Optics.
However, I must add that Hecht goes into more depth in subjects like the calculation of the MTF and convolution.
In short, this is the best book I am aware of for learning Fourier optics from scratch but as the name indicates it is an introduction, albeit a rather comprehensive one.