Disorder is everywhere, inherently present in nature, and is commonly believed to be a synonymous with disturbance. As a consequence, the methodical and customary study of the dynamics of the electromagnetic field, both in the linear and nonlinear optical regimes, leans to rule out it from the treatment. On the other hand, nonlinearity enriches the physical disciplines and brings them closer to reality with respect to the linear approximation. Nonlinearity allows to stimulate a wide and rich ensemble of optical responses that beautifies the role of matter in the active processes with electromagnetic fields. Independently of each other, both of these mechanisms foster localization of light. What happens when light enlightens their synergistic interaction? When pushed together, light, disorder and nonlinearity make new and intriguing phenomena emerge. This text provides a comprehensive investigation of the role of disorder in the nonlinear optical propagation both in transparent media and lasers. Eventually, disorder promotes and enhances complex nonlinear dynamics opening new perspectives in applied research driven by the processes of localization of the electromagnetic field. The first experimental study of laser emission in granular media unveils how randomness magnifies and largely affect laser-matter interactions. Viola Folli in her research work touches and deepens the leading milestones of the new science named Complex Photonics.

Random lasers are the simplest sources of lasers, since they exhibit stimulated emission without a cavity, with the feedback provided by scattering in a gain medium. First proposed in the late 60's, random lasers have grown into a large research field. This book reviews the history and the state of the art of random lasers, providing an outline of the basic models explaining their behavior and describing the recent advances in the field. The major focus is solid-state random lasers, however, random lasers based on liquid dyes with scatterers are also briefly treated. Written with mostly self-contained chapters, Solid-State Random Lasers gives scientists or engineers interested in a particular aspect directly access to the relevant information. Researchers entering the field of random lasers will find in the book an excellent overview, while scientists already working in the field can use the book as a reference source.

Paras Prasad’s text provides a basic knowledge of a broad range of topics so that individuals in all disciplines can rapidly acquire the minimal necessary background for research and development in biophotonics. Introduction to Biophotonics serves as both a textbook for education and training as well as a reference book that aids research and development of those areas integrating light, photonics, and biological systems. Each chapter contains a topic introduction, a review of key data, and description of future directions for technical innovation. Introduction to Biophotonics covers the basic principles of Optics Optical spectroscopy Microscopy Each section also includes illustrated examples and review questions to test and advance the reader’s knowledge. Sections on biosensors and chemosensors, important tools for combating biological and chemical terrorism, will be of particular interest to professionals in toxicology and other environmental disciplines. Introduction to Biophotonics proves a valuable reference for graduate students and researchers in engineering, chemistry, and the life sciences.

The contributors to the book are world best experts in the optics of random media; they provide a state-of-the-art review of recent developments in the field including nonlinear optical and magneto-optical properties, Raman and hyper-Raman scattering, laser action, plasmon excitation and localized giant fields, imaging and spectroscopy of random media

Progress in Optics Volume 44.

As wide band semiconductors with rich morphologies and interesting electric, optical, mechanical and piezoelectric properties, ZnO nanostructures have great potential in applications, such as strain sensors, UV detectors, blue LED, nano generators, and biosensors. ZnO Nanostructures: Fabrication and Applications covers the controllable synthesis and property optimization of ZnO nanostructures through to the preparation and performance of nanodevices for various applications. The book also includes recent progress in property modulation of ZnO nanomaterials and new types of devices as well as the latest research on self-powered devices and performance modulation of ZnO nanodevices by multi-field coupled effects. Authored by a leading researcher working within the field, this volume is applicable for those working in nanostructure fabrication and device application in industry and academia and is appropriate from advanced undergraduate level upwards.

Covering fundamental principles and the state of the art, this is a collection of reviews from experts in mid-infrared (mid-IR) coherent sources. Among the sources covered are optical parametric oscillators, difference frequency generators, and the most recent broadband crystalline, quantum cascade, and fiber lasers. The authors show how advances in mid-IR science and technology make these sources indispensable for a variety of applications.

In the thirty-seven years that have gone by since the first volume of Progress in Optics was published, optics has become one of the most dynamic fields of science. At the time of inception of this series, the first lasers were only just becoming operational, holography was in its infancy, subjects such as fiber optics, integrated optics and optoelectronics did not exist and quantum optics was the domain of only a few physicists. The term photonics had not yet been coined. Today these fields are flourishing and have become areas of specialisation for many science and engineering students and numerous research workers and engineers throughout the world. Some of the advances in these fields have been recognized by awarding Nobel prizes to seven physicists in the last twenty years. The volumes in this series which have appeared up to now contain nearly 190 review articles by distinguished research workers, which have become permanent records for many important developments. They have helped optical scientists and optical engineers to stay abreast of their fields. There is no sign that developments in optics are slowing down or becoming less interesting.- Gaussian apodization and beam propagation- Electromagnetically-induced transparency- Three-dimensional electromagnetic fields- Quantum cryptography- Optical quantum cloning