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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Category Archives: Optics
Infinite singularities in an optical beam???
Working on the second edition of my Singular Optics textbook and thought I would blog about some of the fun developments in the field that I’ve come across while doing the book research! Light has wave properties, and as a … Continue reading
What is a quantum eraser?
My training and background as a physicist is largely in the field of so-called classical optics: the study of the wave properties of light. Lately, however, I’ve been planning more investigations into quantum optics — the study of the quantum … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Physics
Tagged philosophy, Physics, quantum-mechanics, quantum-physics, science
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A retrospective on my first published scientific paper
I’ve had a pretty long career in physics, optics in particular, at this point: I have published over 150 peer-reviewed papers and have written 5 books. Looking back to the start of my journey in science, I don’t think I … Continue reading
An introduction to quantum cryptography
I’ve been brushing up on my quantum physics and quantum information science lately, and thought it would be good practice for me to give a little introduction to the idea of quantum cryptography, and one of the first strategies proposed … Continue reading
Nicol invents a polarizing prism (1828)
I’ve talked a lot about polarization recently, including the story of how the best polarizing material was discovered on accident and how modern polarizers made from that material really changed science and technology in a major way. Along the way, … Continue reading
Physical copies of Electromagnetic Optics are now available!
This post is primarily aimed at optics students and researchers, so feel free to ignore otherwise! I wanted to let folks know that my textbook on Electromagnetic Optics is now available in physical copies through sites like Bookshop.org! Here are … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Personal
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Polaroid: the game-changing optical technology (1938)!
Some technology is so pervasive and mundane in modern society that it is hard to comprehend what a seismic shift its introduction caused in civilization. Examples I can think of are refrigerators and air conditioning, but in science an example … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics
Tagged astronomy, nature, photography, Physics, science
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Quinine, dog pee, and… optics? (1852)
Every once in a while I come across an off-hand comment that immediately makes me need to know more. Recently, I’ve been researching the history of light polarizers, and turned to a paper1 by Edwin Land, the scientist who developed … Continue reading
Electromagnetic Optics is available!
This post will only be relevant to a small portion of my audience, but I wanted to announce that my latest textbook Electromagnetic Optics is now available! That link is for the e-book, which is already available; the print book … Continue reading
Posted in Optics, Personal
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Hanbury Brown and Twiss and their impossible interferometer (1956)
Update: fixed a mistake in my numbers for telescope resolution, which I had worse by a factor of 10. Science is in general intended to be a serious business, but every once in a while one comes across some serious … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Optics, Physics
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Skulls in the Stars 