This book presents a collection of memoir papers on the development of modern and contemporary optics and optoelectronics in China from the 18th to 20th centuries. The papers were written by famous scientists in China, including members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, sharing their experience in different fields of optics and optoelectronics development. This is a unique book in understanding the natural science history of optics and optoelectronics. It gives you the general idea about how the western optical science spread to China in the 17th to 18th century; the cradle of the contemporary optics in China; Birth, development and application of lasers in China; high energy and high power lasers for laser antiballistic missile and laser nuclear fusion; development of Chinese optical communication and optical information storage; laser and infrared optics research for space science; development of Chinese optical instruments, etc. Contents: West Science vs. East (Gan Fuxi); Optical Science and Technology in China in the First Half of 20th Century (Gan Fuxi); The Cradle of the Contemporary Optics in China (Gan Fuxi); The History of Research and Development of Optical Glass in China (Gan Fuxi); Birth and Early Development of Lasers in China (Gan Fuxi); Laser ABM OCo One of the Strategic Defense Means in Early Time (Gan Fuxi); Memory of the Early Days OCo Quantum Electronics Research in the Institute of Electronics (Lin Fucheng); Chinese Laser Research Opened to the World (Gan Fuxi); Breakthroughs and Development of Semiconductor Lasers in China (Wang Qiming and Huang Yong-Zhen); Development of the Solid State Laser Materials in China (Gan Fuxi); Development of High Power Lasers in China (Fan Dianyuan); Establishment of the Daheng Company OCo A Pioneering Work of Chinese Scientific and Technological System Reform (Gan Fuxi); National 863 High Technology Program Promoted the Development of Optoelectronics in China (Gan Fuxi); Open Up the Optical Information Storage Technology in China (Gan Fuxi); Progress of Optical Communications in China OCo Fragments of Personal Reminiscences (Fang Zujie); The Course of Development of Astronomical Optical Instruments (Pan Junhua); Infra Red Optics Research and Application in Satellite Monitoring (Xue Yongqi); High Speed Imaging and Monitoring Research and Development (Hou Xun); Research on Laser Cooling and Time Standard in Optical Wavelength Range (Wang Yuzhu); Industrial Development of Optical Instruments in China (Zhuang Songlin). Readership: Students and scientists who are interested in the history of optics and optoelectronics in China.

This book presents a collection of memoir papers on the development of modern and contemporary optics and optoelectronics in China from the 18th to 20th centuries. The papers were written by famous scientists in China, including members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, sharing their experience in different fields of optics and optoelectronics development. This is a unique book in understanding the natural science history of optics and optoelectronics. It gives you the general idea about how the western optical science spread to China in the 17th to 18th century; the cradle of the contemporary optics in China; Birth, development and application of lasers in China; high energy and high power lasers for laser antiballistic missile and laser nuclear fusion; development of Chinese optical communication and optical information storage; laser and infrared optics research for space science; development of Chinese optical instruments, etc.

Optical science and engineering affect almost every aspect of our lives. Millions of miles of optical fiber carry voice and data signals around the world. Lasers are used in surgery of the retina, kidneys, and heart. New high-efficiency light sources promise dramatic reductions in electricity consumption. Night-vision equipment and satellite surveillance are changing how wars are fought. Industry uses optical methods in everything from the production of computer chips to the construction of tunnels. Harnessing Light surveys this multitude of applications, as well as the status of the optics industry and of research and education in optics, and identifies actions that could enhance the field's contributions to society and facilitate its continued technical development.

Worldwide research on ancient glass began in the early 20th century. A consensus has been reached in the community of Archaeology that the first manmade or synthetic glasses, based on archaeological findings, originated in the Middle East during the 5000-3000's BC. By contrast, the manufacturing technology of pottery and ceramics were well developed in ancient China. The earliest pottery and ceramics dates back to the Shang Dynasty - the Zhou Dynasty (1700 BC-770 BC), while the earliest ancient glass artifacts unearthed in China dates back to the Western Han Dynasty. Utilizing the state-of-the art analytical and spectroscopic methods, the recent findings demonstrate that China had already developed its own glassmaking technology at latest since 200 BC. There are two schools of viewpoint on the origin of ancient Chinese glass. The more common one believes that ancient Chinese glass originated from the import of glassmaking technology from the West as a result of Sino-West trade exchanges in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-25 AD). The other scientifically demonstrates that homemade ancient Chinese glass with unique domestic formula containing both PbO and BaO were made as early as in the Pre-Qin Period or even the Warring States Period (770 BC-221 BC), known as Yousha or Faience.This English version of the previously published Chinese book entitled Development History of Ancient Chinese Glass Technology is for universities and research institutes where various research and educational activities of ancient glass and history are conducted. With 18 chapters, the scope of this book covers very detailed information on scientifically based findings of ancient Chinese glass development and imports and influence of foreign glass products as well as influence of the foreign glass manufacturing processes through the trade exchanges along the Silk Road(s).