Jeff Hecht has written extensively about lasers, fiber optics, and optical technology for over 30 years. He is a contributing editor to Laser Focus World magazine and a correspondent for New Scientist magazine. His books include Understanding Fiber Optics, now in its fifth edition; Understanding Lasers; The Laser Guidebook; City of Light - The Story of Fiber Optics; Beam - The Race to Make the Laser; Laser Pioneer Interviews; Optics - Light for a New Age; and (with Dick Teresi) Laser- Light of a Million Uses. He received a B.S. in electrical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, and is a senior member of the Optical Society of America and a life member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.