Fundamental Optical Models addresses the theory of several fundamental optical problems and provides insights into converting theory into computer software. The book brings together a variety of essential theories and modeling tools – some only found in very old research papers – into a single text and helps researchers to understand the theories needed to develop their own software that can be customized for different projects. The book’s nine chapters cover the optics of multilayer thin films, planar waveguides, multilayer conformal thin films on diffraction gratings, the method of lines for modeling more general waveguides, cylindrical waveguides (i.e. optical fibers) with multilayers, fields in the vicinity of the focus of a lens, near field-to-far field transforms, and scattered field finite difference time domain modeling. To aid learning, the book includes a large number of examples and helpful hints in converting theory into computer algorithms.

This book is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students studying electromagnetism and optics, as well as industrial researchers.

Key Features:

• Addresses the critical gap between optical theory and practical implementation.
• Brings together a variety of fundamental optical theories and modeling tools that are often scattered across very old research papers and difficult-to-find sources.
• Includes numerous examples and helpful hints from a distinguished industrial physicist.