The second edition of this successful textbook provides an up-to-date account of the optical physics of solids. All of the chapters have been updated and improved, and new sections on optical control of spin, quantum dots, plasmonics, negative refraction, carbon nanostructures and diamond NV centres have been added. Review from previous edition: "Fox has succeeded in offering a good, compact, senior level presentation of the optical properties of solids." --American Journal of Physics The second edition of this successful textbook provides an up-to-date account of the optical physics of solids. New sections on optical control of spin, quantum dots, plasmonics, negative refraction, carbon nanostructures and diamond NV centres have been added. The second edition of this successful textbook provides an up-to-date account of the optical physics of solids. New sections on optical control of spin, quantum dots, plasmonics, negative refraction, carbon nanostructures and diamond NV centres have been added. Mark Fox , Professor of Physics at the University of Sheffield, began his research career at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1986, as a Junior Research Fellow. After a post-doctoral position with AT&T Bell Laboratories in the US, he returned to Oxford as a Royal Society University Research Fellow. He moved to Sheffield in 1998, becoming Professor there in 2006. Mark Fox , Professor of Physics at the University of Sheffield, began his research career at Christ Church, Oxford, in 1986, as a Junior Research Fellow. After a post-doctoral position with AT&T Bell Laboratories in the US, he returned to Oxford as a Royal Society University Research Fellow. He moved to Sheffield in 1998, becoming Professor there in 2006.