From Galileo S Occhialino To Optoelectronics

The aim of the Conference was to emphasize the state-of-art in the development of new materials and processes for use in optoelectronics, the technological innovations and applications of optical materials and systems in different disciplines, the potential and actual transfer of technologies and industrial know-how among different countries, the perspectives of new applications and industrial needs for optical materials and systems, the need for a “forum” for cooperation between Laboratories and Industries of different countries.The papers in the proceedings discuss the complexity in nonlinear optics, potentiality of molecular optoelectronics, the development of novel optical fabrication techniques, such as sol-gel and ion implantation, of glasses and glass ceramics materials for modern optical applications, of active glasses for integrated optics, laser glasses, electrochromic coatings.

The idea of having a conference in Padova describing the results obtained by the Galileo spacecraft and the characteristics of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo began in 1995, when a number of colleagues from both sides of the Atlantic began exchanging suggestions and ideas. Looking at the schedules of the two teams, it was clear that the beginning of January 1997 would be a good time to hold the conference; these dates also luckily coincided with the dates of the memorable discovery of the Medicean moons of Jupiter by Galileo Galilei in Padova in 1610. To emphasize these three elements, the name of the conference was then proposed and accepted by the involved parties: NASA and JPL in the United States, the German space agency DARA, the University of Padova, and the Astronomical Observatory in Padova. I wish to recall a few key dates: In January 1610, Galileo--from his house in Padova--had the first hint of three and then four stars connected to Jupiter. In December 1995, the probe released from the spacecraft entered the atmosphere of Jupiter, and the spacecraft entered orbit about Jupiter. These extraordinary events were followed at JPL by a number of representatives of many institutions and space agencies. In June 1996, the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo was inaugurated by the King of Spain Juan Carlos I, in the presence of Prof. Luigi Berlinguer, Minister of University and Science. These ceremonies occurred as the spacecraft started touring the moon Europa.

In six short years, Galileo Galilei went from being a somewhat obscure mathematics professor running a student boarding house in Padua to a star in the court of Florence to the recipient of dangerous attention from the Inquisition for his support of Copernicanism. In that brief period, Galileo made a series of astronomical discoveries that reshaped the debate over the physical nature of the heavens: he deeply modified the practices and status of astronomy with the introduction of the telescope and pictorial evidence, proposed a radical reconfiguration of the relationship between theology and astronomy, and transformed himself from university mathematician into court philosopher. Galileo's Instruments of Credit proposes radical new interpretations of several key episodes of Galileo's career, including his early telescopic discoveries of 1610, the dispute over sunspots, and the conflict with the Holy Office over the relationship between Copernicanism and Scripture. Galileo's tactics during this time shifted as rapidly as his circumstances, argues Mario Biagioli, and the pace of these changes forced him to respond swiftly to the opportunities and risks posed by unforeseen inventions, further discoveries, and the interventions of his opponents. Focusing on the aspects of Galileo's scientific life that extend beyond the framework of court culture and patronage, Biagioli offers a revisionist account of the different systems of exchanges, communication, and credibility at work in various phases of Galileo's career. Galileo's Instruments of Credit will find grateful readers among scholars of science studies, historical epistemology, visual studies, Galilean science, and late Renaissance astronomy.

In 1629, the natural philosopher René Descartes enticed a young artisan to undertake a secretive project, one that promised to revolutionize early modern astronomy. Descartes believed he had conceived a new kind of telescope lens, shaped by the light of reason itself, & surpassing anything ever to come from the hands of the glass-working craftsmen of the era. These novel lenses would never be touched by human hands -- they would be cut by an elaborate machine, a self-regulating & automatic device. This study traces the inception, development, & finally the collapse of this ambitious enterprise, which absorbed the energies & attentions of a broad range of 17th-century savants, including Huygens, Wren, Hevelius, Hooke, & even Newton. Illus.

Optoelectronics is a rapidly expanding field of research and development. In years to come, it is destined to play a primary role in the growing information industry. The basic philosophy behind the science and technology of optoelectronics is to create and develop photonic devices in which optical photons (light waves) instead of electronic carriers, are manipulated for the conventional task performed by microelectronics. Thanks to the availability of large bandwidth at optical frequencies, the development of cost-effective low-loss low-dispersion silica fibers for optical transmission, and the possibility of ultra-fast two-dimensional processing, the field of present-day microelectronics is moving steadily towards this new technology of optoelectronics and photonics.This volume presents reviews of different areas of optoelectronics written by international experts in the field, covering most of the topics of recent importance. It includes detailed discussions on semiconductor lasers and optical amplifiers; optical fiber transmission; photodetectors; optoelectronic and photonic integrated circuits; light-wave telecommunications; optical signal and image processing; optical computing; nonlinear and integrated optics; space-time Fourier optics; optical metrology and sensing and optical interconnects. All chapters are written in the style of a textbook containing tutorial sections which should be of great use to graduate students. The volume should serve as an excellent book for graduate level course on optoelectronics, modern optical engineering, and optical communications.