Waves represent an important topic of study in physics, mathematics, and engineering. This volume is a resource book for those interested in understanding the physics underlying nanotechnology and mesoscopic phenomena. It aims to bridge the gap between the textbooks and research frontiers in wave related topics.

The past decade has witnessed breakthroughs in the understanding of the wave localization phenomena and its implications for wave multiple scattering in inhomogeneous media. This book brings together review articles written by noted researchers in this field in a tutorial manner so as to give the readers a coherent picture of its status. It would be valuable both as an up-to-date reference for active researchers as well as a readable source for students looking to gain an understanding of the latest results.

A collection of lectures on a variety of modern subjects in wave scattering, including fundamental issues in mesoscopic physics and radiative transfer, recent hot topics such as random lasers, liquid crystals, lefthanded materials and time-reversal, as well as modern applications in imaging and communication. There is a strong emphasis on the interdisciplinary aspects of wave propagation, including light and microwaves, acoustic and elastic waves, propagating in a variety of "complex" materials (liquid crystals, media with gain, natural media, magneto-optical media, photonic and phononic materials, etc.). It addresses many different items in contemporary research: mesoscopic fluctuations, localization, radiative transfer, symmetry aspects, and time-reversal. It also discusses new (potential) applications in telecommunication, soft matter and imaging.

This volume contains papers presented at the NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) Photonic Crystals and Light Localization held at the Creta Maris Hotel in Limin Hersonissou, Crete, June 18-30, 2000. Photonic crystals offer unique ways to tailor light and the propagation of electromagnetic waves (EM). In analogy to electrons in a crystal, EM waves propagating in a structure with a periodically modulated dielectric constant are organized into photonic bands, separated by gaps where propagating states are forbidden. There have been proposals for novel applications ofthese photonic band gap (PBG) crystals, with operating frequencies ranging from microwave to the optical regime, that include zero threshold lasers, low-loss resonators and cavities, and efficient microwave antennas. Spontaneous emission, suppressed for photons in the photonic band gap, offers novel approaches to manipulate the EM field and create high-efficiency light-emitting structures. Innovative ways to manipulate light can have a profound iofluence on science and technology.

A systematic and accessible treatment of light scattering and transport in disordered media from first principles.

The coupling between acoustic waves and fluid flow motion is basically nonlinear, with the result that flow and sound modify themselves reciprocally with respect to generation and propagation properties. As a result this problem is investigated by many different communities, such as applied mathematics, acoustics and fluid mechanics. This book is the result of an international school which was held to discuss the foundation of sound--flow interactions, to share expertise and methodologies, and to promote cross-fertilization between the different disciplines involved. It consists essentially of a set of pedagogical lectures and is meant to serve not only as a compact source of reference for the experienced researcher but also as an advanced textbook for postgraduate students, and nonspecialists wishing to familiarize themselves in depth, at a research level, with this fascinating subject.

The past few decades have witnessed the growth of the Earth Sciences in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the planet that we live on. This development addresses the challenging endeavor to enrich human lives with the bounties of Nature as well as to preserve the planet for the generations to come. Solid Earth Geophysics aspires to define and quantify the internal structure and processes of the Earth in terms of the principles of physics and forms the intrinsic framework, which other allied disciplines utilize for more specific investigations. The first edition of the Encyclopedia of Solid Earth Geophysics was published in 1989 by Van Nostrand Reinhold publishing company. More than two decades later, this new volume, edited by Prof. Harsh K. Gupta, represents a thoroughly revised and expanded reference work. It brings together more than 200 articles covering established and new concepts of Geophysics across the various sub-disciplines such as Gravity, Geodesy, Geomagnetism, Seismology, Seismics, Deep Earth Processes, Plate Tectonics, Thermal Domains, Computational Methods, etc. in a systematic and consistent format and standard. It is an authoritative and current reference source with extraordinary width of scope. It draws its unique strength from the expert contributions of editors and authors across the globe. It is designed to serve as a valuable and cherished source of information for current and future generations of professionals.

The collection of articles in this book offers a penetrating shaft into the still burgeoning subject of light propagation and localization in photonic crystals and disordered media. While the subject has its origins in physics, it has broad significance and applicability in disciplines such as engineering, chemistry, mathematics, and medicine. Unli

Optical Thin Films and Coatings: From Materials to Applications, Second Edition, provides an overview of thin film materials and their properties, design and manufacture across a wide variety of application areas. Sections explore their design and manufacture and their unconventional features, including the scattering properties of random structures in thin films, optical properties at short wavelengths, thermal properties and color effects. Other chapters focus on novel materials, including organic optical coatings, surface multiplasmonics, optical thin films containing quantum dots, and optical coatings, including laser components, solar cells, displays and lighting, and architectural and automotive glass. The book presents a technical resource for researchers and engineers working with optical thin films and coatings. It is also ideal for professionals in the security, automotive, space and other industries who need an understanding of the topic. - Provides thorough review of applications of optical coatings including laser components, solar cells, glazing, displays and lighting - One-stop reference that addresses deposition techniques, properties, and applications of optical thin films and coatings - Novel methods, suggestions for analysis, and applications makes this a valuable resource for experts in the field as well

Recent advances in wave propagation in random media are certainly consequences of new approaches to fundamental issues, as well as of a strong interest in potential applications. A collective effort has been made to present in this book the state of the art in fundamental concepts, as well as in biomedical imaging techniques. As an example, the recent introduction of wave chaos, and more specifically random matrix theory - an old tool from nuclear physics - to the study of multiple scattering, has pointed the way to a deeper understanding of wave coherence in complex media. At the same time, efficient new approaches for retrieving information from random media promise to allow wave imaging of small tumors in opaque tissues. Review chapters are written by experts in the field, with the aim of making the book accessible to the widest possible scientific audience: graduate students and research scientists in theoretical and applied physics, optics, acoustics, and biomedical physics.