The book gives a thorough introduction to singularities and their development. It explains in detail important topics such as the types of singularities, their properties, detection and application, and emerging research trends.

"Singularities are pervasive throughout nature and this book is one of the first to combine all aspects of singular optics and to give a detailed view of the subject. Singularities in Optical Physics and Engineering give a thorough introduction to singularities and their development and goes on to explain in detail important topics such as the types of singularities, their properties, detection and application and the emerging research trends that are still developing. The book concentrates mostly on phase singularities in a comprehensive development to allow a greater understanding of singularities throughout the chapters. It also discusses polarization singularities in its final chapter giving an in-depth description of this subject. With new advances being generated continuously, this book will cover a vibrant field of optics and will give an essential foundation to any students and researchers interested in singular optics. Part of IOP Series in Advances in Optics, Photonics and Optoelectronics" -- Prové de l'editor.

"This engagingly written text provides a useful pedagogical introduction to an extensive class of geometrical phenomena in the optics of polarization and phase, including simple explanations of much of the underlying mathematics." —Michael Berry, University of Bristol, UK "The author covers a vast number of topics in great detail, with a unifying mathematical treatment. It will be a useful reference for both beginners and experts...." —Enrique Galvez, Charles A. Dana Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Colgate University "a firm and comprehensive grounding both for those looking to acquaint themselves with the field and those of us that need reminding of the things we thought we knew, but hitherto did not understand: an essential point of reference." —Miles Padgett, Kelvin Chair of Natural Philosophy and Vice Principal (Research), University of Glasgow This book focuses on the various forms of wavefield singularities, including optical vortices and polarization singularities, as well as orbital angular momentum and associated applications. It highlights how an understanding of singular optics provides a completely different way to look at light. Whereas traditional optics focuses on the shape and structure of the non-zero portions of the wavefield, singular optics describes a wave’s properties from its null regions. The contents cover the three main areas of the field: the study of generic features of wavefields, determination of unusual properties of vortices and wavefields that contain singularities, and practical applications of vortices and other singularities.

This book explores a wide range of singular phenomena, providing mathematical tools for understanding them and highlighting their common features.

Singularities are pervasive throughout nature and this book is one of the first to combine all aspects of singular optics and to give a detailed view of the subject. Singularities in Optical Physics and Engineering give a thorough introduction to singularities and their development and goes on to explain in detail important topics such as the types of singularities, their properties, detection and application and the emerging research trends that are still developing. The book concentrates mostly on phase singularities in a comprehensive development to allow a greater understanding of singularities throughout the chapters. It also discusses polarization singularities in its final chapter giving an in-depth description of this subject. With new advances being generated continuously, this book will cover a vibrant field of optics and will give an essential foundation to any students and researchers interested in singular optics. Part of IOP Series in Advances in Optics, Photonics and Optoelectronics

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Celebrated futurist Ray Kurzweil, hailed by Bill Gates as “the best person I know at predicting the future of artificial intelligence,” presents an “elaborate, smart, and persuasive” (The Boston Globe) view of the future course of human development. “Artfully envisions a breathtakingly better world.”—Los Angeles Times “Startling in scope and bravado.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times “An important book.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer At the onset of the twenty-first century, humanity stands on the verge of the most transforming and thrilling period in its history. It will be an era in which the very nature of what it means to be human will be both enriched and challenged as our species breaks the shackles of its genetic legacy and achieves inconceivable heights of intelligence, material progress, and longevity. While the social and philosophical ramifications of these changes will be profound, and the threats they pose considerable, The Singularity Is Near presents a radical and optimistic view of the coming age that is both a dramatic culmination of centuries of technological ingenuity and a genuinely inspiring vision of our ultimate destiny.

This book presents singular optics in a gradual and systematic manner and bridges the gap between a seasoned researcher and a student who aims to pursue research in this topic. The book includes illustrations, examples and references that will enable the reader to conceive their own ideas as they discover more about singular optics.

In this landmark work of economic sociology, Lucien Karpik introduces the theory and practical tools needed to analyze markets for singularities. Singularities are goods and services that cannot be studied by standard methods because they are multidimensional, incommensurable, and of uncertain quality. Examples include movies, novels, music, artwork, fine wine, lawyers, and doctors. Valuing the Unique provides a theoretical framework to explain this important class of products and markets that for so long have eluded neoclassical economics. With this innovative theory--called the economics of singularities--Karpik shows that, because of the uncertainty and the highly subjective valuation of singularities, these markets are necessarily equipped with what he calls "judgment devices"--such as labels, brands, guides, critics, and rankings--which provide consumers with the credible knowledge needed to make reasonable choices. He explains why these markets are characterized by the primacy of competition by qualities over competition by prices, and he identifies the conditions under which singularities are constructed or are in danger of losing their uniqueness. After demonstrating how combinations of the numerous and multiform judgment devices can be used to identify different market models, Karpik applies his analytical tools to the functioning of a large number of actual markets, including fine wines, movies, luxury goods, pop music, and legal services.