Approaches the topic of physical optics with examples drawn from the physical processes described. Includes chapters on Fourier transforms, image formation, optical coherence, diffraction, interference, holography, interferometry, analog optical computing, synthetic aperture imaging, and others. Contains more than 600 photographs and line drawings and more than 650 references.

Contents: - Huygens Principle - Fourier Transforms - Array Theorem - Image Formation: The Impulse Response - Formation in Terms of the Impulse Response - Resolution in Terms of the Impulse Response - Image Formations: The Transfer Function - Image Formation in Terms of the Transfer Function - Fresnel Diffraction - Heuristic Introduction to Partially Coherent Light - Elementary Theory of Optical Coherence: Part I - Image Formation with Coherent Light - Coherent Resolution - Coherent Examples - Coherence Theory Solution to the Pinhole Camera - Diffraction and Interference with Partially Coherent Light - Elementary Theory of Optical Coherence: Part II - Elementary Theory of Optical Coherence: Part III - Selected Criteria for Image Analysis - Photographic Films - Sources of Coherent Noise and Their Reduction - Division of Wavefront Interferometry - Division of Amplitude Interferometry - Multiple-Beam Interference - Introduction to Holography - Holographic Interferometry - Applications of Holography - Communication Theory Techniques in Optics - Analog Optical Computing: Experimental Fourier Analysis - Analog Optical Computing: Fourier Synthesis Using Amplitude Filters - Analog Optical Computing: Fourier Synthesis Using Amplitude and/or Phase Filters - Analog Optical Computing: Additional Mathematical Operations - Analog Optical Computing: Optical Correlation Techniques - Optically Modulated Imagery - Phase Contrast - Partially Filled, Synthetic Aperture Imaging Systems: Incoherent Illumination - Partially Filled/Synthetic Aperture Imaging Systems: Coherent Illumination - Parametric Design of a Conceptual High-Resolution Optical Lithographic Printer