Mark Silverman has seen light perform many wonders. From the marvel of
seeing inside cloudy liquids as a result of his own cutting-edge
research to reproducing and examining an unusual diffraction pattern
first witnessed by Isaac Newton 300 years ago, he has studied aspects of
light that have inspired and puzzled humans for hundreds of years. In
this book, he draws on his many experiences as an optical and atomic
physicist--and on his consummate skills as a teacher and writer about
the mysteries of physics--to present a remarkable tour of the world of
light. He explores theoretical, experimental, and historical themes,
showing a keen eye for curious and neglected corners of the study of
light and a fascination with the human side of scientific discovery.In
the course of the book, he covers such questions as how it is possible
to achieve magnifications of a millionfold without a single lens or
mirror. He asks what all living things have in common that might one day
allow the development of a "life-form scanner" like the one in Star
Trek. He considers whether more light can reflect from a surface than
strikes it, and explores the origin of the strange hyperpolic
diffraction pattern Newton originally produced with sunlight and knives.
Silverman also discusses his new and ground-breaking experiments to see
into murky substances such as fog or blood--a finding with potential
applications as diverse as noninvasive medical testing and remote
sensing of the environment. His wide-ranging reflections cover virtually
all elements of physical optics, including propagation, reflection,
refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization, and
scattering.Throughout, Silverman makes extensive referenceto both modern
research and the original works of giants such as Newton, Fresnel, and
Maxwell. In a more personal section about physics and learning,
Silverman argues for self- directed learning and discusses the central
importance of stimulating scientific curiosity in students. Waves and
Grains will encourage a spirit of wonder and inquiry in anyone with
scientific interests.
