Glasses with photonic properties have great potential and are expected to play a significant role in the next generation of multimedia systems. This book is an excellent introduction to recent progress in the development and application of glass with special photonics properties. The authors, two eminent Japanese scientists, thoroughly explain the fundamentals of glass materials in the first chapter, and then proceed to discuss gradient index glass, laser glasses, nonlinear optical glasses, and magneto-optical glasses. Besides in-depth treatment of basic theory, Yamane and Asahara describe actual problems, performance, and applications of glasses. Their work will be of value to graduate students, researchers, and professional engineers in materials science, chemistry, and physics interested in photonics and glass with special properties.