Progress in Optics e-bog

This volume presents six review articles devoted to various topics of current interest both in classical and in quantum optics. The first article, by S. Ya. Kilin, entitled "e;Quanta and Information"e;, is concerned with a multidisciplinary subject which involves optics, information theory, programming and discrete mathematics. The second article, "e;Optical Solitons in Periodic Media with Resonant and Off-Resonant Nonlinearities"e;, by G. Kurizki, A.E. Kozhekin, T. Optatrny and B. Malomed, reviews the properties of optical solitons in periodic nonlinear media. The article which follows deals with an effect and its inverse which is a manifestation of hindrance and enhancement, respectively, of the evolution of a quantum system by an external agent, such as a detection apparatus. The fourth article discusses the current status of a relatively new branch of physical optics, sometimes called singular optics. The next two articles respectively present a review of advances in two-photon interferometry and their relation to investigations of the foundations of quantum theory and an examination of transverse mode shaping and selection in laser resonators.