Advanced optical components

Abstract

This chapter describes a selection of advanced optical components including the underlying physical principles, production techniques and already existing or possible future applications. Several of these optical elements, in particular variable lenses and photonic crystals, may replace conventional optical systems once their potential for applications has been fully explored. Other components such as high-quality optical fibres, though well established and used worldwide, still undergo a rapid further improvement and integration in communication systems. Besides increased quality and versatility, a driving force and essential aspect in the development of optical components in general is low cost and mass production.