Detection of Light

The invention and development of advanced methods to detect light underlies much of modern technology. This fully updated and restructured third edition is unique amongst the literature, providing a comprehensive, uniform discussion of a broad range of detection approaches. The material is accessible to a broad range of readers rather than just highly trained specialists, beginning with first principles and developing the relevant physics as it goes. The book emphasizes physical understanding of detector operation, without being a catalog of current examples. It is self-contained but also provides a bridge to more specialized works on specific approaches; each chapter points readers toward the relevant literature. This will provide a broad and lasting understanding of the methods for detecting light that underpin so much of our technology. The book is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and will provide a valuable reference for professionals across physics and engineering disciplines.

• A broad and uniform discussion of approaches to photon detection providing a consistent overview of the features, strengths and weaknesses of each detector type
• Begins with simple physics principles so that readers from a diverse range of fields and backgrounds will find the book useful
• Emphasis is placed on the physics of detector operation, not just current examples, for a broad and lasting understanding of detectors even when new and improved versions become available