Abstract
In this chapter we discuss certain optical phenomena for which geometric or ray optics is insufficient. Primarily interference and diffraction, these phenomena arise because of the wave nature of light and often cause sharp departures from the rectilinear propagation assumed by geometric optics. For one thing, diffraction is responsible for limiting the theoretical resolution limit of a lens to a finite value. This is incomprehensible on the basis of ray optics.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Babic, V. M., Kirpicnikova, N. Y.: The Boundary Layer Method in Diffraction Problems, Springer Ser. Electrophys., Vol. 3 (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 1979)
Dainty, J. C. (ed.): Laser Speckle and Related Phenomena, 2nd ed., Topics Appl. Phys., Vol. 9 (Springer, Berlin Heidelberg 1984)
Ditchburn, R. W.: Light, 2nd ed. (Wiley-Interscience, New York 1983) Chaps. 1–6
Frieden, B. R.: Probability, Statistical Optics, and Data Testing, Springer Ser. Inf. Sci., Vol. 10 (Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg 1983)
Hecht, E., Zajac, A.: Optics (Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA 1974) Chaps. 2, 3, 7, 9, 10
Jenkins, F. A., White, H. E.: Fundamentals of Optics, 4th ed. (McGraw-Hill, New York 1976) Chaps. 11–18
Klein, M. V.: Optics (Wiley, New York 1970) Chaps. 7–11
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Young, M. (1986). Wave Optics. In: Optics and Lasers. Springer Series in Optical Sciences, vol 5. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-37456-5_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-37456-5_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-16127-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-37456-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive