Recommended Semiconductor Optics Textbook

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The discussion highlights a range of topics related to optics and theoretical physics. A book by Joao Magueijo is recommended for its accessible explanations of the speed of light and relativity, as well as its exploration of alternative theories for the universe's expansion, despite some criticism of academic publishing. Participants seek resources for studying optics, particularly eigenmodes in optical fibers, and express a desire for comprehensive textbooks that include problem solutions. Specific inquiries include recommendations for books on semiconductor optics and nonlinear optics, with a focus on finding materials that provide both exercises and solutions to enhance understanding. The conversation underscores a need for foundational knowledge in mathematics and physics to support further studies in optoelectronics and optical communication.

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by Joao Magueijo

This is a very readable book which I would recommend to students of physics in general. The first half of the book is devoted to a rather good explanation of the current understanding of the speed of light, Special and General Relativity. His explanations compete with any other coffee table physics book for clarity and humor. He does an excellent job of covering the difficulties in the current theories and the efforts being made to reconcile theories with observation.

In the 2nd half of the book he tells the story of his attempts to develop an alternative theory for the early expansion of the universe. While he does not present mathematical details he does give some clues involving the effects of a \frac c {\dot c} term.

A significant portion of the story involves his railing against the juried journal system and academic bureaucracy in general. This does become a bit tiresome but does provide some humor.
 
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Hello,

I am currently working on an optics project, were one of the objectives is to find the eigenmodes for the E field in an infinite, normal step index fiber.

We are using the weak guiding approximation an are thus solving the helmholtz equation.
From what I've been able to grasp we are finding so called LP modes, that are really combinations of more basic modes that aren't linearly polarized (solutions to the full vectorial problem).

Our advisor has only given os very superficial lecture notes - and I have never had a course in optics - so I don't really feel I completely understand what we are doing.

Therefore I'd like to know if anyone knows a good book with a thorough description of the topic?

Mikkel
 
Hello everyone,
thank you for clicking the link and listen to my words.

I am a year 2(and would be year 3) Electronic Engineering undergraduate,
being interested in optoelectronic and would like to go deeper inside.
What amused me is the possibility of integrating optical communication into the microscopic world, say, can we replace the electrical connection on a PCB by the optical stuff? How about using the all optical logic gates to implement a computer?
Sorry if I am raising some questions that maybe silly, but that's what I want to know more.

Before I would take the final year I have got a chance of having a year of workstudy, and I am deferring my university study for a year.

In view of this, besides the work from the job, I don't want to waste my leisure time that, I would like to learn some knowledge and prepare myself a bit for the later study in optics.

I have just taken a simple course called "Introduction to Optical Communication" and learned about dispersion, attenuation, simple optical transmitter, sensor, amplifiers something. And I don't have a very good base of Mathematics, which I worry could be an obstacle to my further study.

Therefore I am taking the opportunity of workstudy to enhance my basic skill for my study, would you mind suggesting me some books about optics, especially microscopic; or books teaching Mathematics or Physics that you think needed for optoelectronic? I have found some books talking about Silicon Photonics and Nonlinear Optics, how should I start my study?

Thank you very much for your kind attention.
 
I'm looking for a good semiconductor optics textbook. I have Klingshirn's text, which has problems, but no solutions. As I'm using the textbook outside of university, I need solutions to problems, since I won't know if I'm right or wrong otherwise. I've also looked into Semiconductor Optics and Transport Phenomena by Schafer, but as far as I know this only has problem "hints" and no solutions. I was also unable to find a solution manual for this text.

If anyone knows of a good semiconductor optics book with problems AND solutions, I would greatly appreciate it.
 

Contents (from 3rd edition)

Part 1

  • Nature of Light
  • Geometrical Optics
  • Optical Instrumentation
  • Wave Equations
  • Superposition of Waves
  • Properties of Lasers
  • Interference of Light
  • Optical Interferometry
  • Coherence
  • Fiber Optics
  • Fraunhofer Diffraction
  • The Diffraction Grating
  • Fresnel Diffraction
  • Matrix Treatment of Polarization
  • Production of Polarized Light

Part 2

  • Holography
  • Optical Detectors and Displays
  • Matrix Methods in Paraxial Optics
  • Optics of the Eye
  • Aberration Theory
  • Fourier Optics
  • Theory of Multilayer Films
  • Fresnel Equations
  • Nonlinear Optics and the Modulation of Light
  • Optical Properties of Materials
  • Laser Operation
  • Characteristics of Laser Beams
  • Selected Modern Applications
 
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Hello. I am currently reading Nonlinear Optics by Boyd.

Most part of the book is great and easy to understand, but the problems seem to be difficult for me, and I could not find solutions to the problems. Though I could post some problems here, there are too many problems I could not solve. It would not be realistic to post all of them.

I believe that solving enough problems is necessary, so I am trying to find another exercise book with solutions, instead.

Thanks!
 
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TLDR: is Blennow "Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering" a good follow-up to Altland "Mathematics for physicists"? Hello everybody, returning to physics after 30-something years, I felt the need to brush up my maths first. It took me 6 months and I'm currently more than half way through the Altland "Mathematics for physicists" book, covering the math for undergraduate studies at the right level of sophystication, most of which I howewer already knew (being an aerospace engineer)...

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