Spin Waves:
Theory and Applications
D. Stancil and A. Prabhakar
Springer, New York, 2009; $129.00 (hardcover).
This is one of the best books that I’ve come across regarding spin waves. It is written in a very clear
style and covers all aspects of spin waves, from theory to applications. The book is divided into three
major parts: The first addresses magnetism in magnetic insulators; the second describes the magneto-
static modes and dipolar spin waves; and the final section covers nonlinear phenomena, which are the
latest advancements in the area of spin waves. These phenomena, including solitons and chaos, are
only briefly described in the final two chapters. The book is an interesting introduction to the booming
area of spintronics. I recommend it to any student or researcher working in magnetics.
Review by Mircea Dragoman, National Research and Development Institute in Microtechnology, Bucharest,
Romania.
Ultra-High Frequency Linear
Fiber Optic Systems
Kam Y. Lau
Springer, 2009; $109.00 (hardcover).
The high profile accorded to digital communications can tend to obscure a basic reality: Analog transmission continues to play a key role in communications, including optical communications. However,
while digital fiber-optic communications is extremely well-served with monographs and textbooks,
such provision for analog systems is sparse. This book meets the need for a text that can be used to
instruct students in analog optical communications, as well as enabling engineers and professors to
come to grips with the key elements of this field. The well-known author has managed to include basic
principles and practical considerations in a relatively short book. The treatment is clear and accessible.
Perhaps the only barrier to widespread readership is the rather high cover price.
Review by K. Alan Shore, Bangor University, School of Electronic Engineering, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom.
Charged Semiconductor Defects
Edmund G. Seebauer, Meredith C. Kratzer, eds.
Springer, Nov. 2008; $159.00 (hardcover).
Charged semiconductor defects are a serious problem for high-quality and high-performance semiconductor devices. This book represents the first comprehensive account of the behavior of electrically charged defects in semiconductors. It summarizes current knowledge based on experiments and
computations regarding defect structure, thermodynamics and diffusion for both bulk and surfaces.
The defects in silicon, germanium, gallium arsenide, other III-V semiconductors, titanium dioxide and
other oxide semiconductors are described in detail.
The book covers a very large scope that will help researchers to identify and control bulk and
surface defect behavior to improve material performance. It can be used as a textbook for advanced
undergraduate and graduate courses in areas related to semiconductors. It is also an excellent instructional guide for researchers and graduate students working in the field of defect engineering.
Review by Lisa Tongning Li of Inphenix, Inc.
50 | OPN Optics & Photonics News
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