This book offers a perfect combination of classical optics and its use in understanding observable phenomena in nature and our surroundings. The science topics of the first part are those typically covered in undergraduate courses on optics. The author gives clear and concise introductions to geometrical optics, wave optics, detectors, and light sources. He also addresses radiometry, photometry, colorimetry, as well as quantum optics of light-matter interactions. End of chapter exercises help readers to test and consolidate their knowledge.
In the second part of the book, a vast number of applications are presented both qualitatively and quantitatively. They include everyday atmospheric optical phenomena such as rainbows, halos, coronas, glories, mirages, sky colors etc., but also the colors of water, green flashes, the question how far we are able to see and many others. Stunning images of many natural optical phenomena will add greatly to the reader’s enjoyment of this book.
The English translation of this book, originally in German, was facilitated by artificial intelligence. The content was later completely revised by the author for accuracy.
Introduction.- Geometrical Optics .- Wave Optics .- Interaction of
radiation with matter: Quantum optics.- Detectors and Light Sources.- Visual
Perception.- The Atmosphere of the Earth.- Mirages: Wet Roads, Oases,
Monsters of the Sea and other variations of the Fata Morgana.- Rainbows.-
Coronas, Glories and related phenomena.- Halo Phenomena in the Sky: Natural
Cause or Divine Warning?.- Light Scattering and Sky Colours.- Further
phenomena due to light scattering.- Up to the Stratosphere and Beyond.
Michael Vollmer received his Ph.D. degree for studies of clusters on surfaces, and his habilitation on optical properties of metal clusters from the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Assignments were with the University of Kassel, Germany, a one year stay as postdoc at the university of California in Berkeley, USA, as well as with various institutions in the United States and Asia during sabbaticals. His research interests include atmospheric optics, spectroscopy, infrared thermal imaging, and the didactics of physics. He has authored one science book and co-authored two scientific monographs and more than 270 scientific and didactical papers.
