the second edition of this successful textbook provides a clear, well-written introduction to both the fundamental principles of optics and the key aspects of photonics to show how the subject has developed in the last few decades, leading to many modern applications. the book thus provides a complete undergraduate course on optics in a single integrated text. specific changes for this edition include: new material on modern optics and photonics. rearrangement of chapters to give a logical progression comprising groups of chapters on geometric optics, wave optics and photonics. many more worked examples and problems. a redesigned layout to give the book a more modern feel. in addition, substantial revisions have been made to chapters on holography (to include white light holography), lasers (including semiconductor and free electron lasers) and the interaction of light with matter (a separate chapter is devoted to sources of light). chapters on interference and diffraction are reorganised to give a more logical presentation. for this edition smith and king are being joined by a new co-author, professor daniel wilkins from the university of nebraska, who has been teaching optics courses for a number of years.