Quantum optics is a mature, yet still rapidly evolving field, and there are many excellent textbooks covering the subject. However, most of these texts are aimed at fairly sophisticated audiences, and many are quite specialized. There is certainly room for an introductory book aimed at a student whose only preparation is some basic knowledge of optics and a quantum mechanics course. This is the sort of book that Gerry and Knight have produced, and, on the whole, they have been quite successful.
According to the introduction, this book is aimed at upper-level undergraduates and beginning graduate students. The book is certainly accessible to students who have completed a graduate-level course in quantum mechanics—indeed it may be the most accessible quantum optics book for this audience. However, I think it’s a bit of a stretch to say that the book is appropriate for undergraduates. The book assumes a familiarity with the...
