Optics has a long and distinct tradition among physical sciences. Ever-present throughout human history, optical systems and phenomena have been subject of interest in all cultures and epochs, from the greco-roman times of geometrical optics, across the works of Kepler, Descartes, Newton and many others, to the electromagnetic theory synthesis of Maxwell, culminating in the quantum mechanics revolution of the 1st half of the 20th century which has come to pave the way for modern laser and photonics technologies. 
Optical systems are ubiquitous in modern society, with an ever-increasing number of applications covering medical sciences (vision technology, surgical instrumentation), spatial exploration (telescopes, lenses), telecommunications (fiber optics), information processing (quantum computing), industry (cutting and precision measurement) and military/weapons technology, to name but a few examples. Furthermore, laser and optical technology in general are absolutely essential to performing applied research in areas such as chemistry and biology, providing fundamental analysis tools. The success of optical systems and tecnhologies in high-end scientific research has also found its way into everyday consumer products such as printers, displays, discs, cameras and eyeglasses, not to forget that optical fiber is crucial to telecommunications in general and internet in particular.