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This book deviates from the usual format of my SPIE Tutorial Texts. It guides the reader in a sometimes conversational style through the pages and provides an elementary understanding of the subjects with the support of more than 100 sketches, diagrams, layouts, and tables. Much effort has been applied in presenting the individual subjects and issues with basic relations, avoiding complicated mathematical expressions.
The numerous examples and exercises will be helpful to gain additional knowledge and understanding of the topics under discussion.
Special emphasis has been placed on the fact that optical elements by themselves are simply components. To serve as an instrument, optical elements must be carefully mounted into mechanical structures.
To pay respect to the great scientists of the past for their discoveries and inventions, some historic remarks have been inserted at proper places for reference.
For those who are eager to dig a bit deeper, derivations and verifications of expressions are included in some instances, which provide further insight into a particular subject.
Whereas this text is intended as a fundamental coverage of the broad field of optics, it may also serve to spark latent imagination for some readers.
I thank Tim Lamkins, Tyler Koshakow, and Scott McNeill of SPIE for their guidance and encouragement, and the reviewers for their helpful recommendations.
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