The Wonders of Light
The awe-inspiring power of light and the impact of light-based technology on our daily lives are explored in a visually stunning new book called The Wonders of Light.
The book, which is due to be published on May 28th 2015, brings to life the principles underpinning some of the most ground-breaking technological innovations, and it reveals the science behind light and the ways it can be harnessed and used, from visual displays, solar cells and the internet to advanced quantum technologies. Sixteen self‐contained chapters, which can be read in any order, address a particular scientific and technological challenge in which light is central. Each chapter is supported by graphical illustrations, explanations of the technology involved and a technical glossary.
The authors from the Institut de Ciències Fotòniques in Barcelona, a research institution that works to advance the limits of knowledge in Photonics, the science and technology of harnessing light, say the book shows how light has revolutionized our lives in areas such as medicine, energy and global communications and why light matters to our current and future problems in health, education, security and the environment:
‘Light is ubiquitous and universal. During the past decades we have learnt not only how to generate and control light in exquisite ways but also how to transmit it and display it in ways that used to be the realm of science fiction and novels. As a result light-based technologies are, literally, everywhere. And what is available today is just the beginning. This book celebrates everything that has been achieved so far in light science and it looks ahead to what light-based technology might do for us in the future.’
About the authors
Marta García-Matos, Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO)
Marta García-Matos is a physicist, writer, and Outreach Project Manager in the Knowledge and Technology Transfer division of the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), specialising in projects that further the public understanding of science.
Lluis Torner, Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO)
Lluís Torner is the Founding Director of the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO). He is a Fellow of the European Physical Society, the European Optical Society, and the Optical Society of America.
