Publications

Explore our rich library of works that have shaped the field of optical design and engineering. Featuring books, papers, and teaching materials created by leading experts, it offers readers a clear path to mastering both the theory and practice of optics. Each publication reflects a commitment to advancing innovation, education, and excellence in optical science. Together, they provide an essential resource for anyone passionate about designing, teaching, or exploring the future of optical systems.

Fundamental Optical Design

Fundamental Optical DesignMichael J. Kidger, published posthumously (SPIE vol PM 92) with the help of colleagues, provides all the essential and best elements of the author’s many courses taught worldwide on lens and optical design.  It is written in a direct style that is compact logical and to the point – a tutorial in the best sense of the word.

“I read my copy late last year, and read it straight through, cover to cover. In fact, I read it no less than three times. Its elegant expositions, valuable insights and up-front espousal of pre-design theory make it an outstanding work. It’s in the same league with Conrady and Kingslake.”   Warren Smith

AVAILABLE FROM: SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering

    • SPIE Vol. PM92 * December 2001
    • 314 pages * Hardcover

Table of Contents
Foreword / xiii
Preface / xvii
List of symbols / xix

Chapter   1 Geometrical Optics
Chapter   2 Paraxial Optics
Chapter   3 Ray Tracing
Chapter   4 Aberrations
Chapter   5 Chromatic Aberration
Chapter   6 Seidel Aberrations
Chapter   7 Principles of Lens Design
Chapter   8 Achromatic Doublet Objectives
Chapter   9 Petzval Lenses and Telephoto Objectives
Chapter 10 Triplets
Chapter 11 Eyepieces and Afocal Systems
Chapter 12 Thermal Imaging Lenses
Chapter 13 Catadioptric Systems
Index

Michael Kidger’s Atomic Physics Notes

Michael Kidger's Atomic Physics Notes

Editors: Tina E. Kidger, Chris Dainty, Emery L. Moore

This book shows Michael Kidger’s early work while he was a student at Imperial College London before becoming a world-renowned, highly sought-after lecturer of optical design throughout the world. Michael’s course notes on atomic physics, in his own handwriting, show an extraordinary attention to detail that is continued in his worldwide lectures on optical design as published by SPIE in Fundamental Optical Design, December 2001 and Intermediate Optical Design, January 2004.

AVAILABLE FROM: SPIE – The International Society for Optical Engineering

Book Details

  • Date Published: 29 July 2024
  • 184 pages *Softcover
  • ISBN: 9781510678644
  • Volume: PM376
  • Preface by Chris Dainty
  • by Michael J. Kidger
  • Biography by Tina E. Kidger

Atomic Physics

Table of Contents

1) The conduction of electricity through gases
2) Electric Discharge through gasses at low pressures
3) The Charge and Mass of the Electron
4) Positive Rays and the Brass Spectrograph
5) The Quantum Theory
6) The Thermionic Effect
7) Photo-Electricity
8) Atomic Spectra and the Periodic Table
9) X-Rays and their properties
10) The Structures of Crystals
11) The Wave Mechanics
12) Electron Collisions in Gases
13) Radioactivity and the Radioactivity Transformations
14) The Alpha particle
15) The Beta rays
16) The Gamma rays
17) The Detection of Single Atomic Particles
18) Cosmic Radiation: The Position
19) Mesons
20) High Energy Particle Accelerators
21) The Nucleus of the Atom
22) The Neutron
23) Nuclear Fission
24) Atomic Energy Nuclear Reactors
25) The Relativity Theory
Epilogue by Emery L. Moore