This book, devoted to glass photonics, is homage to Prof. Dr Giancarlo C. Righini on his 80th birthday. This milestone signifies a lifetime of rich scientific experiences and notable achievements in optics and photonics, with special regard to glass and other optical materials.
The book shows how glass photonics plays a crucial role in the current Age of Light. The former part of book focuses on photonic devices in fiber and integrated optics format. It discusses the basic aspects concerning linear and non-linear interactions of light with optical fibers with nanoparticles glasses, microspheres, particularly in the form of whispering gallery mode resonators, microbubble resonators, and nanostructured glasses, and the main application, which could lead to technological and scientific breakthroughs. In the latter part of the book, first, the potential use of glass-based light management technologies for the design of novel types of solar cells is illustrated. Then, the sensing devices based on glass substrates are described. Finally, additive manufacturing technologies in the production of transparent ceramic components are presented. The book provides both experts and newcomers a detailed view of a few subfields of research and development in peculiar properties of glasses and glass ceramics and glass-based devices.