Though being taught as a subfield of classical electrodynamics, optics is now once again
considered to be an important branch of physical sciences for the 21st century. Furthermore,
optics implicitly exists due to its propaedeutic contributions to the theory
of classical fields and quantum mechanics. In lecture halls today we can easily demonstrate
coherence phenomena with laser light sources. It is hence appropriate also in
lecturing to devote more room to the concepts of optics created since the 1960s.
This textbook attempts to link the central topics of optics that were established
200 years ago to the most recent research topics such as laser cooling or holography.
To compromise between depth and breadth, it is assumed that the reader is familiar
with the formal concepts of electrodynamics and also basic quantum mechanics. In
scientific education, this textbook may serve as a reference for the foundations of
modern optics: classical optics, laser physics, laser spectroscopy, nonlinear optics as
well as applied optics may profit. Teaching will be complemented through materials
presented by new media such as the internet. Nevertheless, the author strongly believes
that conventional textbooks will continue to be a prime source of learning. Novel
materials and complements will be made available, however, through the www.unibonn.de/iap/ollE
website.