Lasers in all their glory

When Arthur Schawlow and Charles Townes first described in 1959 how a laser might be made, many of Townes' friends teased him by asking if it would have any uses. Few scientists then could have imagined the myriad of applications to which the laser can be put. Now, of course, lasers are used for everything from transmitting telecommunication signals down optical fibres, monitoring atmospheric pollutants and measuring the ultra-fast vibrations of molecules to checking your groceries at the supermarket, fixing your eyesight and playing your favourite movie on DVD. What this three-volume book aims to do is provide scientists and engineers with a comprehensive guide to the current status of lasers and laser systems. Containing over 130 chapters written by 170 experts in their respective fields, this mammoth undertaking has been jointly edited by Julian Jones, who is Head of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, and Colin Webb, cofounder of Oxford Lasers and former Head of Atomic and Laser Physics at Oxford University. In the February issue of Physics World Matin Durrani, Deputy Editor of PhysicsWorld, reviews this book in full. (U.K.)