I am very happy for this chance to revise the handbook first published in 2009. Up to now, numerous books and handbooks with such titles as Optics and Optical Engineering have been published. However, it was still not easy for people to apply those optical principles to their research or for industrial purposes. In this handbook, I, as the editor, have attempted to bridge the gap that exists between academic research principles and the methods used for practical applications.
To my great delight, we received a number of favorable responses to the previous edition, especially from researchers and engineers in industrial fields, in addition to people in academic areas. Therefore, my intention here is to update the ten chapters whose authors needed to revise on the basis of recent development and progress in their specific fields. In one instance, devices such as CCD (charge-coupled device)/CMOS (complementary metallic-oxide-semiconductor) cameras in imaging technology have made remarkable progress since 2009, which enabled downsizing in shape and high definition in resolution. Consequently, combining optical principles and new device technologies has expanded the areas of application. This created a kind of synergistic effect that new principles are born inspired by new elements and devices. At the same time, based on requests from readers in related areas, four new chapters have been added. Naturally, we would have liked to include even more topics, but as always it is difficult to cover everything due to various practical restrictions.
The very rapid progress in fundamental research, applied techniques, and device technology has, I found, made it difficult to achieve ideal contents. In a short period, many novel ideas may be reported and instruments and equipment for practical use commercialized before it is clear whether or not they are successful in the market.
I will be delighted if this update makes the handbook more useful for people who are seeking solutions to their problems using optical principles and methods described here. I shall gratefully receive any comments, suggestions, and advice from readers.
Toru Yoshizawa