None

Diffraction Gratings, Part 1

Masud Mansuripur, Lifeng Li, Wei-Hung Yeh

The goal of the present article is to describe some of the basic properties of gratings, and to point out through several examples the complex behavior of these devices. These examples are by no means comprehensive, but they should make it amply clear that there is no simple way to predict a grating's diffraction efficiency. more>>

None

Fast IR Fisheye Lens with Hyper-Hemispherical Field of View

J. Brian Caldwell

This month's patent design is a fisheye lens for long wavelength IR (8-12 μm wavelength range) that covers a full field of 270° at an astonishingly large aperture of f/0.7. This combination of field coverage and aperture is unprecedented, but in spite of the extreme specifications, the design is quite simple, consisting of only four germanium elements. The design would provide an interesting challenge to a manufacturer because the concave surface of the negative meniscus front element is hyper-hemispherical more>>

None

How to Make Holograms Using a Laser Pointer

Tung H. Jeong, Raymond J. Ro, Masashi Iwasaki

The construction and use of simple holograms, and their use in performing experiments, is an excellent way to introduce students to the study of optics. more>>

None

MATLAB for Beginners

Christopher R. Doerr

The MATLAB 5 Handbook, by Darren Redfern and Colin Campbell, is an introduction to the MATLAB (matrix laboratory) programming language for beginners, as well as a reference book for experienced users.1 It is, according to the authors, "written for all MATLAB users, regardless of their discipline or field(s) of interest." MATLAB is an interpretive (not compiled) programming language based on arrays and matrices, and has many powerful, built-in, mathematical, and graphing functions. more>>

None

Painting Cameras: The Newest Art Form in Photography

Jannick P. Rolland and Steve L. Hylen

Optical adaptations of camera lenses and techniques have changed and will continue to change the opportunities for photographic artists to manipulate images more creatively. more>>

None

The Role of Lasers in Fine Arts Conservation and Restoration

Adele de Cruz, Susanne A. Hauger, and Myron L. Wolbarsht

Ancient artwork and modern science: working together to save our cultural heritage using lasers in art conservation and restoration. more>>