(1) Introduction to Physical Optics (2) Traité de polarimétrie (3) Guide de l'ouvrier en verres d'optique de precision (4) Zur Geschichte der Zeissischen Werkstätte bis zum Tode Ernest Abbes

Abstract

THESE four books represent some aspects of the widespread domain of ‘Optics’. (1) Prof. Robertson's “Introduction to Physical Optics” will appeal more to the theoretician than to the experimentalist. Its tendency is to present an idealised picture in which mundane difficulties dis-appear, as is no doubt quite necessary if some slight ideas of relativity and wave mechanics are to be introduced before the end of a not-too-long book. It is, however, a very lucid and direct treatment in which the modern developments of the subject of the interaction of radiation and matter receive their due balance of attention. The early parts comprise a clear discussion of lens and mirror optics (treated on the ‘wave’ basis), interference, and diffraction. The mathematics is limited to simple algebra and trigonometry.

(1) Introduction to Physical Optics.

Prof. John Kellock Robertson. Pp. vii + 422 + 6 plates. (London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1930.) 20s. net.

(2) Traité de polarimétrie.

Prof. Georges Bruhat. Pp. xvi + 447. (Paris: Éditions de la Revue d'optique théorique et instrumentale, 1930.) 65 francs.

(3) Guide de l'ouvrier en verres d'optique de precision.

Col. Charles Dévé. Pp. xvii + 258. (Paris: Éditions de la Revue d'optique théorique et instrumentale, 1930.) 36 francs.

(4) Zur Geschichte der Zeissischen Werkstätte bis zum Tode Ernest Abbes.

Moritz von Rohr. Mit Beiträgen von Max Fischer und August Köhler. Pp. viii + 120 + 10. (Jena: Carl Zeiss, 1930.)

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