A comprehensive treatise on the components and devices of the lightwave explosion Multiple advances in lightwave technology have led to a veritable overload of global information systems throughout the world. Given the sheer number and growing importance of such systems, Govind Agrawal's Lightwave Technology answers the need for a comprehensive and up-to-date account of all major aspects of this rapidly expanding field. Components and Devices, the first independent volume of this two-volume engineering resource, is devoted to describing a multitude of today's silica- and semiconductor-based optical devices. Conceived and written by the foremost expert and bestselling author in the fiber optic field, the text provides detailed, in-depth coverage of both theoretical and practical aspects of the science, including: Fiber optics Passive and active fiber components Planar waveguides Semiconductor lasers and amplifiers Optical modulators Photodetectors WDM components Space- and time-domain switching The second volume, Lightwave Technology: Communication Systems, deals with the design and performance of modern transmission systems making use of these devices. Complete with chapter problems, a CD, and a Solutions Manual, this title serves as both a basic text book for students and a practical everyday reference for engineers and researchers in the field.