Photonics Rules of Thumb: Optics, Electro-Optics, Fiber Optics, and Lasers (Optical and Electro-Optical Engineerirng Series) [Hardcover]

John Lester Miller (Author), Edward Friedman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0070443297 | ISBN-13: 978-0070443297 | Publication Date: May 1, 1996

For the first time anywhere, these time-tested estimation rules of thumb have been gathered together in a single handy source. Arranged alphabetically according to specialty, this unique book spans the entire spectrum of photonics, from optics to lasers. Scientists and engineers at all levels will want to keep this fast and easy-to-use reference near at hand.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Think-on-your-feet calculations that save design time and frustration PHOTONICS RULES of THUMB in an ideal world, you design team members attend all the meetings, pay attention, and understand the constraints of the project. In the real world, you sometimes have to think fast to convince your collegaues that the specification or performance feature they want to add just won't work. For quick and easy reference, this is a handy compilation of 250 rules of thumb that cover the full range of photonics, from optics to lasers. These simple-to-implement calculations and rules let you keep your composure and provide an immediate and nearly correct answer. Photonics Rules of Thumb: Optics, Electo-Optics, Fiber Optics, and Lasers is a succinct, handy, and unique reference for anyone working in the optical sciences. Many of these rules have been used in the industry for years, but this is the first time they have been systematically collected. Perfect for quick sanity checks, this guide lets you rapidly pinpoint trouble areas or ask probing questions in meetings. While providing a light-hearted guide to the lost art of estimation, it also shows how you can quickly estimate the impact of changes. You'll develop a sense of what will work and what won't and be able to explain why.

About the Author

Ed Friedman earned a B.S. in physics at the University of Mary in 1966 and a Ph.D. in cryogenic physics from Wayne State University in 1972. He started his career in the field of ocean optics and subsequently developed system concepts for remote sensing of the atmosphere and oceans. After completing studies related to the design of spacecraft and instruments for the measurement of the radiation balance of the Earth, he was appointed a visiting scientist in the climate program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Subsequent employers included The Mitre Corporation, Martin Marietta (where he met the co-author), Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation, and the Boeing Company, where he currently serves as a Technical Fellow in the Lasers and Electo-Optics Division.

In the last ten years, he has concentrated on the development of mission concepts and technologies for astrophysics and space science. While at Ball, he was Chief Technologist of the Civil Space business unit. Recent areas of interest include the use of space-based interferometers to create detailed maps of stellar positions and the use of coronagraphic methods for detection of planets in distant solar systems. In 2001, he was awarded a patent for a novel method of alignment and phasing of large, deployed Earth-viewing optics. He has been a patent reviewer for the journal Applied Optics and an editor for the journal Optical Engineering. Dr. Friedman has published more than 10 peer-reviewed papers on remote sensing, diffractive beam propagation, and ocean optics. Early in his career, he published a book and approximately ten articles on electronics. While a visiting scientist at NCAR, he published five articles on the role of remote sensing in detecting human influences on climate. He is the coauthor of the two previous editions of this book. Ed recently retired after two seasons as a member of the National Ski Patrol. He and his wife Judith Friedman live in the mountains west of Boulder, Colorado.

John Lester Miller earned a B.S. in Physics at the University of Southern California in 1981, participated in physics, math, and engineering graduate studies at Cal State Long Beach and the University of Hawaii, then earned an M.B.A. from Regis University in 1989. He chairs the SPIE session of advanced infrared technology, co-chairs the session on homeland security, and referees papers for several electro-optical journals. He has held positions as Chief Scientist, Director of Advanced Technologies, Program Director, Functional Manager, Lead Engineer, and Electro-Optical Engineer with FLIR Systems (Portland, Oregon), the Research Triangle Institute (Lake Oswego, OR), Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin (Denver, Colorado; Utica, New York; and Orlando, Florida), the University of Hawaii's NASA IRTF (Hilo, Hawaii), Rockwell International (Seal Beach, California), Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories (Pasadena, California), and Griffith Observatory (Los Angeles, California). While at Martin Marietta in Denver, he met Ed Friedman. He has published more than 40 papers on optical sciences and is the author of Principles of Infrared Technology and the co-author of the two previous editions of this book. John has several patents pending in electro-optical technologies. His experience includes leading integrated research, design, and marketing efforts on advanced security systems, active imagers, infrared sensors, space sensors, helmet-mounted systems, scientific instrumentation, homeland security surveillance systems, radiometric test facilities, aviation enhanced vision systems, and environmental and weather monitoring sensors.

John is Vice President of Advanced Technology for FLIR Systems, Inc., in Portland, Oregon. He and his wife, Corinne Foster, split their time between Lake Oswego and Bend, Oregon. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 423 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070443297
• ISBN-13: 978-0070443297
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,895,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference book, October 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Photonics Rules of Thumb: Optics, Electro-Optics, Fiber Optics, and Lasers (Optical and Electro-Optical Engineerirng Series) (Hardcover)

Easy to use and practical for the engineer and physisist invovlved in optics projects. Will save you the embarassment of not knowing the limits of many common optical devices and systems.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful & practical for optics/photonics practitioners, March 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Photonics Rules of Thumb: Optics, Electro-Optics, Fiber Optics, and Lasers (Optical and Electro-Optical Engineerirng Series) (Hardcover)

Very good book, with a lots of "short cuts" and good "back of an envelop" estimations However, high degree of subject understanding is required when practicing these short cuts. So be careful!

One topics omitted is that of Microscopy (one entry). There are a lots of Rules of Thumb that can help with resolution, magnification, NA or f/#, field of view, depth of field, depth of focus, working distance, etc. Perhaps these can be added to a subsequent edition of the book.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent photonics systems design handbook!, November 27, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Photonics Rules of Thumb: Optics, Electro-Optics, Fiber Optics, and Lasers (Optical and Electro-Optical Engineerirng Series) (Hardcover)

Pricey consultants won't like this book! The authors have provided the photonics system design engineer with both knowledge and wisdom. This is a very rare in technical books, it is clearly a labor of love.