Photonics originated as a research discipline during the 1960s, with the invention and production of the first lasers. The development of these optical sources was followed in the 1970s by the large-scale deployment of optical fibers, as a medium for information transmission by means of light beams. In the years that followed, scientific research and constant technological development fostered a revolution in the telecommunications field. The association of photonics with other disciplines opened new horizons, unimaginable just a few decades ago. This volume, as it contains material intended for prospective telecommunications and electronic engineers who are going to professionally design optics-based devices and subsystems, it also presents the basic notions to approach further disciplines with which photonics may pro tably interact.
STEFANO SELLERI is full professor of Electromagnetic Fields with the Department of Information Engineering of the University of Parma.
LUCA VINCETTI is associate professor of Electromagnetic Fields with the “Enzo Ferrari” Department of Engineering of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
ANNAMARIA CUCINOTTA is associate professor of Electromagnetic Fields with the Department of Information Engineering of the University of Parma.