THIN FILMS

Part of the SPIE “Field Guide” series, the book Field Guide to Optical Thin Films provides information on the principles of the films and the applications of graphical tools for optical coating design, including reflectance, admittance and triangle diagrams. The 115-page spiral-bound reference work shows graphically how unavailable indices can be approximated and empirically the basis of ideal antireflection coating design, and demonstrates the practical approximation of inhomogeneous profiles. Chapters cover such areas as coatings with absorption, quarter-wave optical thickness stack reflectors and properties, and graphics for visualization of coating behavior. Charts, diagrams and a bibliography are provided. Ronald R. Willey; SPIE Press, Bellingham, Wash., 2006; $29 SPIE members, $34 nonmembers.