Singular Optics

"This engagingly written text provides a useful pedagogical introduction to an extensive class of geometrical phenomena in the optics of polarization and phase, including simple explanations of much of the underlying mathematics." —Michael Berry, University of Bristol, UK"The author covers a vast number of topics in great detail, with a unifying mathematical treatment. It will be a useful reference for both beginners and experts…." —Enrique Galvez, Charles A. Dana Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Colgate University"a firm and comprehensive grounding both for those looking to acquaint themselves with the field and those of us that need reminding of the things we thought we knew, but hitherto did not understand: an essential point of reference." —Miles Padgett, Kelvin Chair of Natural Philosophy and Vice Principal (Research), University of Glasgow This book focuses on the various forms of wavefield singularities, including optical vortices and polarization singularities, as well as orbital angular momentum and associated applications. It highlights how an understanding of singular optics provides a completely different way to look at light. Whereas traditional optics focuses on the shape and structure of the non-zero portions of the wavefield, singular optics describes a wave’s properties from its null regions. The contents cover the three main areas of the field: the study of generic features of wavefields, determination of unusual properties of vortices and wavefields that contain singularities, and practical applications of vortices and other singularities.

"This lecture-based book is pleasant and contains careful discussions of a large number of topics dealing with the multifaceted aspects of wavefield singularities. The target audience for Gbur’s book includes undergraduate students of engineering and science, and optical engineers and designers." – Optics & Photonics News (May 2017)"Not just the first complete overview of Singular Optics, but also eminently readable!" –Taco Visser, Professor, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam"This new book provides a firm and comprehensive grounding both those looking to acquaint themselves with the field and those of us that need reminding of the things we thought we knew, but hitherto did not understand: an essential point of reference." – Miles Padgett, Kelvin Chair of Natural Philosophy, University of GlasgowThis engagingly written text provides a useful pedagogical introduction to an extensive class of geometrical phenomena in the optics of polarization and phase, including simple explanations of much of the underlying mathematics. – Michael Berry, University of Bristol, UK"Professor Greg Gbur is both an expert in the field and a talented writer…. this comprehensive yet accessible text gives a clear and engaging introduction to the newcomer as well as a useful reference to the expert." – Miguel A. Alonso, The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester"The author covers a vast number of topics in great detail, with a unifying mathematical treatment. It will be a useful reference for both beginners and experts…. I found myself learning many new things and will definitely have it handy on my shelf!" – Enrique Galvez, Charles A. Dana Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Colgate University"this book is a delight. Just as Nye’s text is a ‘singular’ contribution to the field (pun intended!), I hope that Gbur’s text becomes an indispensable reference for optical vortices and together, these books form an essential foundation for the study of optical singularities." – Contemporary Physics (Nov 2017), review by Andrew Resnick, "This lecture-based book is pleasant and contains careful discussions of a large number of topics dealing with the multifaceted aspects of wavefield singularities. The target audience for Gbur’s book includes undergraduate students of engineering and science, and optical engineers and designers." – Optics & Photonics News (May 2017)"Not just the first complete overview of Singular Optics, but also eminently readable!" –Taco Visser, Professor, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam"This new book provides a firm and comprehensive grounding both those looking to acquaint themselves with the field and those of us that need reminding of the things we thought we knew, but hitherto did not understand: an essential point of reference." – Miles Padgett, Kelvin Chair of Natural Philosophy, University of GlasgowThis engagingly written text provides a useful pedagogical introduction to an extensive class of geometrical phenomena in the optics of polarization and phase, including simple explanations of much of the underlying mathematics. – Michael Berry, University of Bristol, UK"Professor Greg Gbur is both an expert in the field and a talented writer…. this comprehensive yet accessible text gives a clear and engaging introduction to the newcomer as well as a useful reference to the expert." – Miguel A. Alonso, The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester"The author covers a vast number of topics in great detail, with a unifying mathematical treatment. It will be a useful reference for both beginners and experts…. I found myself learning many new things and will definitely have it handy on my shelf!" – Enrique Galvez, Charles A. Dana Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Colgate University"this book is a delight. Just as Nye’s text is a ‘singular’ contribution to the field (pun intended!), I hope that Gbur’s text becomes an indispensable reference for optical vortices and together, these books form an essential foundation for the study of optical singularities." – Contemporary Physics (Nov 2017), review by Andrew Resnick

Gregory J. Gbur received a B.A. with honors from the University of Chicago in 1993 and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in 1996 and 2001. Since 2005, he has been a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, becoming an Associate Professor in 2010. His research is in classical theoretical optics, focusing on singular optics, coherence theory, plasmonics and invisibility/cloaking. He has written or coauthored over 80 journal papers to date, including three reviews for Progress in Optics. He has written another textbook, Mathematical Methods for Optical Physics and Engineering. He has an active interest in science communication, writing the personal science blog Skulls in the Stars since 2007, and has written popular articles for a number of magazines, including La Recherche, American Scientist, and Optics and Photonics News.