I recommend this supplementary textbook as clear tutorial for the understanding of the basic concepts of waves and the wave equation with its applications to mechanics, electromagnetic waves and the Schrӧdinger equation. The authors focused on the confounding and difficult concepts that perplex students. It is written for undergraduates in physics and engineering, but it also has exceptional value to a wider readership. The book is self-contained with the required definitions and the mathematics (vectors, complex numbers, Euler relations, phasor representation, partial differential equations, Fourier theory and wave equations). The authors presented the material in terms of both the physical theory and its mathematical representation; the key equations are derived. Physical insights that are helpful for a deep understanding of waves are uniquely presented. The text is supplemented with clear and useful graphs. The book’s website contains additional resources: worked solutions to all problems, animated graphics, a few errata, and author podcasts to augment all the chapters.
Review by Barry R. Masters, Fellow of AAAS, OSA and SPIE.
The opinions expressed in the book review section are those of the reviewer and do not necessarily reflect those of OPN or OSA.