Introduction to Matrix Methods in Optics (Paperback)

by A. Gerrard (Author), J. M. Burch (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Clear, accessible guide requires little prior knowledge and considers just two topics: paraxial imaging and polarization. Lucid discussions of paraxial imaging properties of a centered optical system, optical resonators and laser beam propagation, matrices in polarization optics and propagation of light through crystals, much more. 60 illustrations. Appendixes. Bibliography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 355 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486680444
• ISBN-13: 978-0486680446
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #281,565 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #63 in	Books > Science > Physics > Optics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Bit Antique, But An Excellent Orientation, August 26, 2000

By	Philip Hobbs "Phil Hobbs" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is very inexpensive (thanks again, Dover), and talks about all sorts of matrix methods in optics: ABCD matrices for paraxial ray tracing, Jones matrices, coherency matrices, and Stokes parameters for polarization, among other things.

It's not a terribly deep book, but it is readable, lucid, and complete. It got me up to speed rapidly on an area I was fuzzy in, so for [...] it's a great bargain.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great if you are more interested in the math than the physics of optics, July 23, 2006

By	calvinnme "Texan refugee" (Fredericksburg, Va) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

I really liked this book, but then my needs are probably different from the other two reviewers. I was looking for a book that concentrated on the mathematics of optics. Specifically I needed something that would show, given point A and a particular optical system, where would the translated version point B occur, and how could I express this in simple mathematical terms. My need was having a good book on the mathematics of optics without the need to wade through the details of the EM theory of Hecht, which if you are into pure optics, is an essential book. However, I am a computer scientist writing code to simulate optical effects rather than a physicist.

If you are interested in the mathematics of light, I can't think of a better reference. It even begins with a review of matrix algebra in case you are a bit rusty on the subject. It then applies matrix methods to paraxial rays through a cascade of lenses using the Jones transfer matrix approach. The book then covers optical resonators for lasers with Gaussian beams, followed by a chapter on polarization effects using the Muller matrix approach. If you don't already know the background material, chapter four on the polarization of light and the Stokes equations can be rough going. The Jones and Muller matrix calculations are derived in the appendix. The math in this book is well presented, but there is little indication of where you are going with this material in the grand scheme of things.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enough, July 5, 2007

By	Rodrigo M. Onzi "Onzi" (Porto Alegre, RS BRAZIL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Had just about the information a needed. It could have a little bit more examples for a more clear approach. It was pretty useful.