Conti, C.

2026
Cambridge University Press Cambridge
ISBN: 9781107110526

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press xvi, 347 pages : illustrations (black and white), digital, PDF file(s (2026) [10.1017/9781316275207]2026  

Abstract: Driven by advances in data science and machine learning, phototonics has evolved rapidly in recent years and has transformed into a highly interdisciplinary field, connecting fundamental research with cutting-edge applications. Inspired by recent Nobel Prizes in Physics in 2021 and 2024, Conti highlights the interplay between photonics and spin glasses, a key concept for understanding the link between photon propagation and complex systems. Beginning with a study of black-body radiation, the book then revisits laser theory using techniques from non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. Through a step-by-step exploration of important photonic experiments, it bridges foundational concepts and advances in optical computing, with a focus on developing efficient hardware for classical and quantum artificial intelligence

Keyword(s): Optics (LCSH) ; Photonics (LCSH) ; Statistical mechanics (LCSH) ; Spin glasses (LCSH) ; Ising model (LCSH)