Light: A Very Short Introduction

In this Very Short Introduction Ian Walmsley introduces the physics of light. Beginning with the earliest conceptions of the nature of light he traces the growth of our understanding, through competing particle and wave theories to wave-particle duality and quantum theory, and the latest exciting applications such as optoelectronics.

Ian Walmsley is the Hooke Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Oxford, where he is also the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and University Collections and a Fellow of St. Hugh's College. He has engaged in research in optical science and engineering for more than thirty years, and has published over 200 papers in ultrafast laser science, quantum optics and information processing and optical coherent control of matter. Prior to joining the University of Oxford, he was on the faculty of the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, NY, USA, where he served also as the Chair of the Undergraduate Program, and as Director of the Institute.