Atmospheric channel effects on free-space laser communication -- Free-space laser communication performance in the atmospheric channel -- Laser communication transmitter and receiver design -- Free-space laser communications with adaptive optics: Atmospheric compensation experiments -- Optical networks, last mile access and applications -- Communication techniques and coding for atmospheric turbulence channels -- Optical Communications in the mid-wave IR spectral band -- Quantum cascade laser-based free space optical communications -- All-weather long-wavelength infrared free space optical communications.

This book is intended for research scientists, engineers and students with an interest in the topic of free-space laser communications. It is intended as an all-inclusive source to serve the needs of those who require information about both basic concepts, as well as up-to-date advanced knowledge of the state-of-the-art in the technologies available today. This is the first book which provides in a comprehensive and tutorial manner, the fundamental principles and advances of free-space laser communications. Topics addressed include: atmospheric channel effects including available models, system design and performance, laser transmitter/ receiver designs for high performance photon-efficient systems, adaptive optics technology for atmospheric compensation, optical networks, coding techniques, and long wavelength free-space optical communications.