Photonics Rules of Thumb: Optics, Electro-Optics, Fiber Optics, and Lasers (Hardcover)

by John Lester Miller (Author), Edward, Dr Friedman (Author) "This chapter contains a selection of rules specifically involving the intersection of the disciplines of astronomy and electro-optics (EO)..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Ann Arbor, Systems Handbook (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Even the brightest and most capable optical engineer would be stymied without the use of practical principles of estimation. These ``rules of thumb'' make it possible to get a quick idea--completely adequate for the moment--of the impact a given design change will have. Now, for the first time anywhere, these time-tested estimation rules 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 from the student through the seasoned professional, will want to keep this fast and easy-to-use reference near at hand.

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 423 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0070443297
• ISBN-13: 978-0070443297
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,618,921 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They learned this stuff the hard way, but it's sloppy in spots, August 25, 2000

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

I'm a great fan of lore books as opposed to textbooks or reference books. Lore books are the ones that contain the things that many people in the field may know, but which they had to learn the hard way, and I like them because they help me learn the easy way.

Miller and Friedman have written a fun and useful lore book, which has helped a lot of electro-optics people (including me) stay out of some nasty potholes. The book is inexpensive, and if you're building or specifying electro-optical systems of any sort, you should own it.

Note added 8/08:
I still think Miller and Friedman is a useful book, but at this point I'd want to qualify my paean above: there's a certain amount of sloppiness in the way some of these rules are presented that keeps it from being a fully reliable guide. (3-1/2 stars)

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

5 of 7 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

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.