The Physics of Optical Recording

Optics and optical recording have a long history. Already in the ancient temples of Egypt and in Stonehenge, optical imaging was used in religious ceremonies. As early as the 17th century, optical instruments such as the telescope and the microscope played a crucial role in the development of the natural sciences, which, in turn, altered humanity's perception of itself and the universe. Nowadays, the science of optics is not only a means of gathering information but, also, of information tr...