2 comments about Understanding Lasers: An Entry-Level Guide (IEEE Press Understanding Science & Technology Series).

1. If you are a hobbyist, this is all you need to get started. A great book that leans towards the practical aspects, laser applications and avoids use of excessive math. The end of each chapter contains a summary and a small quiz that drives home the points to give you confidence.
   
   For example, you will be able to answer questions such as 'What is the length of a Q switched pulse from a 10cm long Neodymium-glass laser with 90% reflective output mirror assuming refractive index is 1.5'
   
   You may also want to consider Jeff Hecht's 'The Laser Guidebook', which does not seem to have a chapter on Laser Applications or the end of chapter quiz.



2. College-level libraries strong in science and technology titles will appreciate this easy introductory guide to laser technology, which moves from the foundations of how lasers work and how they are used to discussions of specific advanced laser types, applications, and the science involved. Add drawings, tables, and multiple-choice quizzes and you also have a study guide suitable for college-level classroom assignments.

1 comments about Lens Design Fundamentals.

1. I was hoping for Kingslake to dump his great Kodak design knowledge in this book. He did not. Book opens saying that Double Gauss is not discussed! I sold the book to a local 2nd hand book store for 50 cents. Book has some basics of optical design and might be of interest to those wanting to have all the writings of this great designer.

No comments about Research Design and Statistical Analysis.

No comments about The Light Fantastic: A Modern Introduction to Classical and Quantum Optics.

1 comments about Image Acquisition and Processing with LabVIEW (Image Processing Series).

1. I bought this book when I started doing image processing in LabVIEW and found it completely useless. The information was all either obvious (things I could figure out by playing around with LabView myself) or very theoretical and above my head. The author spent a lot of time explaining things you can do with LabVIEW, but almost all of them were obvious if you read the descriptions of the available sub-VIs. I'm not sure what audience the author intended this book for... it seemed like it didn't have enough detail for someone who has experience with LabVIEW, but didn't explain things clearly for someone (like me) who is just learning. I learned a lot more from "LabVIEW for Everyone" by Jeffrey Travis even though it didn't cover image analysis. Don't waste your money on this book.

No comments about Handbook of Optical Systems, Survey of Optical Instruments (Gross/Optical Systems V1-V6 special prices until 6V ST published (VCH)).

5 comments about Vintage Neon (Schiffer Reference Book).

1. A tribute to the forgotten signmakers of the 1920's through the present. Lots of color pictures contributed by neon sign enthusiasts from around the country. Expensive, but if you like old signs, this book will make you happy.



2. Mr. Davidson's expertise in both the technical and artistic creation of neon is more spectacular than the lights themselves. Although expensive, this book is by far the most authoritative glimpse the craft and its appreciation than any other volume ever written. In the vernacular of the modern generation, it is 'tubular'. Almost every conceivable manner of neon is included; businesses include car showrooms, shoe stores, butcher shops, bakeries, motels, drive-ins (both theatrical and eatery), and in abundance, restaurants. Locations include many havens of neon distribution, such as the author's beloved Philadelphia, Route 66, California, and a much overlooked plethora of vivid glamour, Vancouver British Columbia (Canada). This volume is absolutely enchanting for anyone who has ever spent a night in a lodging illuminated on the exterior by a tint of pink, green, yellow, or blue. Of the 200 books in my personal 'Roadside Library', this is my favorite. Anyone who treasures illumination will consider "VINTAGE NEON" enlightening.



3. Properly titled VINTAGE NEON (as shown on the cover) this book contains incredible photos and narrative of these beautiful works of art. Fans of "Americana" will especially enjoy this fading slice of American Roadside Life.



4. I just recieved this book as a gift and I love it. The book is filled with color photos of neon from around the country, and includes a fair amount of info on each sign. I was unaware this book exsisted until i recieved it, but it was a pleasant surprise. This book is a must have for vintage enthusiests, and fans of neon in general.



5. This book has a nice variety of vintage signs. It is great to see the original color of the neon since I am restoring an old Pegasus that came off a Mobil gas station.
   
   The author appears knowledgeable and it is difficult to find books on this subject. It is fun to read the short discriptions of the histories of the signs and anecdotes from other collectors.
   
   Anyone who grew up with neon signs would enjoy this book.

No comments about Concentrator Photovoltaics (Springer Series in Optical Sciences) (Springer Series in Optical Sciences).

1 comments about Adaptive Optics for Astronomical Telescopes (Oxford Series in Optical and Imaging Sciences).

1. The book does an excellent job of describing the basic principles and the practice of adaptive optics for astronomical applications. The author was a pioneer in adaptive optics and in the 1970s he built the first system capable of compensating a large astronomical telescope at visible wavelengths. The book gives a good history of adaptive optics including an excellent bibliography. Wavefront sensors, correctors, laser beacons, and wavefront reconstruction and control systems are described. Current adaptive optics programs are described and future prospects are discussed. I had the good fortune of working with the author at the time the first adaptive optics system was built and the author conveys in this book the excitement we felt about adaptive optics at that time. While the book is very specialized and technical, and the number of readers who will enjoy the book is limited, if you are interested in adaptive optics the reading of this book is a must.

5 comments about Principles of Lasers.

1. This book is extremely clear and even a completely newby can read it. At the same time, nothing is left halfway and the subject is covered with extreme care and depth. Congratualations to the author !



2. "...the student that is led into the laser field by this text is lucky. The text is excellent and filled with appropriate illustrations...Overall, this work will also be useful as a reference for the topics covered. The literature references are copious and appropriate. The text is well supplied with figures and graphs and for those areas considered in detail, the book is and will remain a very good reference volume."



3. Clearly written, without oversimplifying some of the
   more subtle items (which are so often swept under the
   carpet in simpler treatments of the field - such as
   the QFT treatment of spontaneous emission). First a
   clear and detailled discussion of all the aspects
   of the working principles of a laser is presented,
   and then specific lasertypes are described, all this
   in a very readable style. Great book.



4. Very good. I recommend it for anyone who works with lasers. Very accurate and easy to read.

   -KC, NRL




5. I have found this book to be extremely comprehensive and detailed, great for anyone who wants to learn both the basic and advanced concepts of lasers. The book is definitely for the more advanced undergraduate students (and grad students, of course) who have a background in quantum mechanics, and higher-level calculus. The translation from Italian is perfect. Highly recommended.
   
   P.S.: In reply to the review written by `A Reader' below, `newby' is spelt `newbie' (or `noob').