A History of Optics from Greek Antiquity to the Nineteenth CenturyThis book is a long-term history of optics, from early Greek theories of vision to the nineteenth-century victory of the wave theory of light. It shows how light gradually became the central entity of a domain of physics that no longer referred to the functioning of the eye; it retraces the subsequent competition between medium-based and corpuscular concepts of light; and it details the nineteenth-century flourishing of mechanical ether theories. The author critically exploits and sometimes completes the more specialized histories that have flourished in the past few years. The resulting synthesis brings out the actors' long-term memory, their dependence on broad cultural shifts, and the evolution of disciplinary divisions and connections. Conceptual precision, textual concision, and abundant illustration make the book accessible to a broad variety of readers interested in the origins of modern optics. |
Contents
1 From the Greeks to Kepler | 1 |
2 Mechanical medium theories of the seventeenth century | 37 |
3 Newtons optics | 78 |
4 The eighteenth century | 109 |
5 Interference polarization and waves in the early nineteenth century | 166 |
6 Ether and matter | 225 |
Other editions - View all
A History of Optics from Greek Antiquity to the Nineteenth Century Olivier Darrigol Limited preview - 2012 |
A History of Optics from Greek Antiquity to the Nineteenth Century Olivier Darrigol No preview available - 2012 |
A History of Optics: From Greek Antiquity to the Nineteenth Century Olivier Darrigol No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
according acoustic analogy angle assumed assumption axis ball believed bodies called cause century chap colors concept consequence corpuscles corresponding crystal depended derivation determined diffraction direction dispersion distance earlier effect elastic element entering equal equation ether Euler experiments explained force French frequency Fresnel function gave given glass Huygens Huygens’s idea implied incidence integral intensity interference kind later lines luminous MacCullagh manner matter measurements mechanical medium memoir mirror molecules motion nature Newton’s Newtonian noted object observed optics original particles passing periodic perpendicular physics plane polarization pressure principle prism produced propagation proportional published pulses rays reasoning reflection refraction regarded relation represent result rotation seen similar simple sound successive surface theory of light thickness thin plates tion traveling undulations various vector velocity vibrations vision visual wave Young