A primer on the currency alternative that's changing the worldBitcoin can be a bit puzzling to the uninitiated. Ledger? Blockchain? Mining? These cryptocurrency concepts aren't going away, and there are tremendous opportunities for those with some know-how to get onboard with the crypto culture. Bitcoin For Dummies helps you get un-puzzled, learn the Bitcoin basics, and discover the possibilities in the new world of digital currencies.With this 100% new edition, you can step into the fascinating culture of cryptocurrency and learn how to use Bitcoin as a currency or an investment vehicle. A little bit of knowledge will go a long way, and you'll be ready to sail smoothly ahead as the crypto tsunami advances. Demystify Bitcoin and learn how to buy and sell cryptocurrency Create a digital wallet and make everyday purchases using Bitcoin Discover the ins and outs of investing in Bitcoin and other up-and-coming cryptocurrencies Participate in the cutting-edge culture of crypto Bitcoin For Dummies is great for beginning Bitcoin users and investors who need to know the basics about getting started with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.

Autorentext

Peter Kent is author of numerous technology titles as well as his own cryptocurrency video course, Get Crypto Clear: Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Made Simple.

Tyler Bain is an engineer specializing in the electrical grid and keeping the lights on for all those Bitcoin miners, traders, and node runners. Peter and Tyler are also co-authors of Cryptocurrency Mining For Dummies.

Klappentext

Become part of the Bitcoin boom

Bitcoin is a digital currency, an investment opportunity, and a paradigm-shifting way for thinking about finance. You've come to the right place to untangle the details behind the world's first widely traded cryptocurrency. This book offers insight into blockchain and the ledgers tracking Bitcoin transactions. You'll also discover how to use Bitcoin to buy and sell stuff, get the basics of Bitcoin investing, and geek out on advanced topics like regulation and mining. It's all here, in terms anyone can understand. **Inside...

• Buying and selling items with Bitcoin
• Creating a digital wallet
• Keeping your Bitcoin secure
• Mining for fresh Bitcoin
• Investing in Bitcoin
• Demystifying blockchain, ledgers, and networks

• Securing your Bitcoin investment**

  Zusammenfassung
  A primer on the currency alternative that's changing the world Bitcoin can be a bit puzzling to the uninitiated. Ledger? Blockchain? Mining? These cryptocurrency concepts aren't going away, and there are tremendous opportunities for those with some know-how to get onboard with the crypto culture. Bitcoin For Dummies helps you get un-puzzled, learn the Bitcoin basics, and discover the possibilities in the new world of digital currencies. With this 100% new edition, you can step into the fascinating culture of cryptocurrency and learn how to use Bitcoin as a currency or an investment vehicle. A little bit of knowledge will go a long way, and you'll be ready to sail smoothly ahead as the crypto tsunami advances. Demystify Bitcoin and learn how to buy and sell cryptocurrency Create a digital wallet and make everyday purchases using Bitcoin Discover the ins and outs of investing in Bitcoin and other up-and-coming cryptocurrencies Participate in the cutting-edge culture of crypto Bitcoin For Dummies is great for beginning Bitcoin users and investors who need to know the basics about getting started with Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.

  Inhalt

  Preface xxxix

  Acknowledgments xliii

  1 Basic Optical Calculations 1

  1.1 Introduction 1

  1.2 Wave Propagation 2

  1.3 CalculatingWave Propagation in Real Life 7

  1.4 Detection 26

  1.5 Coherent Detection 26

  1.6 Interferometers 29

  1.7 Photon Budgets and Operating Specifications 30

  1.8 Signal Processing Strategy 36

  2 Sources And Illuminators 41

  2.1 Introduction 41

  2.2 The Spectrum 41

  2.3 Radiometry 43

  2.4 Continuum Sources 43

  2.5 Interlude: Coherence 46

  2.6 More Sources 50

  2.7 Incoherent Line Sources 55

  2.9 Lasers 57

  2.10 Gas Lasers 59

  2.11 Solid-State Lasers 59

  2 Diode Lasers 61

  2.13 Laser Noise 69

  3 Optical Detection 81

  3.1 Introduction 81

  3.2 Signal-to-Noise Ratios 82

  3.3 Detector Figures of Merit 83

  3.5 Photomultipliers 100

  3.6 Thermal Detectors 114

  3.7 Image Intensifiers 115

  3.9 How Do I Know Which Noise Source Dominates? 124

  3.10 Hacks 129

  4 Lenses, Prisms, and Mirrors 137

  4.1 Introduction 137

  4.2 Optical Materials 137

  4.4 Surface Quality 141

  4.5 Windows 142

  4.6 Pathologies of Optical Elements 143

  4.7 Fringes 143

  4.8 Mirrors 147

  4.10 Prism Pathologies 153

  4.11 Lenses 154

  2 Complex Lenses 158

  3 Other Lenslike Devices 162

  5 Coatings, Filters, and Surface Finishes 165

  5.1 Introduction 165

  5.2 Metal Mirrors 165

  5.4 Simple Coating Theory 171

  5.5 Moth-Eye Finishes 179

  5.6 Absorptive Filters 180

  5.7 Beam Dumps and Baffles 182

  5.8 White Surfaces and Diffusers 186

  6 Polarization 191

  6.1 Introduction 191

  6.2 Polarization of Light 191

  6.3 Interaction of Polarization with Materials 193

  6.4 Absorption Polarizers 197

  6.5 Brewster Polarizers 197

  6.6 Birefringent Polarizers 198

  6.7 Double-Refraction Polarizers 199

  6.8 TIR Polarizers 202

  6.9 Retarders 203

  6.10 Polarization Control 206

  7 Exotic Optical Components 211

  Introduction 211

  Gratings 211

  Grating Pathologies 214

  Types of Gratings 215

  Resolution of Grating Instruments 218

  Fine Points of Gratings 219

  Holographic Optical Elements 222

  Photonic Crystals and Metamaterials 223

  Retroreflective Materials 224

  7.10 Scanners 225

  7.11 Modulators 231

  8 FiberOptics**239**

  8.1 Introduction 239

  8.2 Fiber Characteristics 239

  8.3 Fiber Theory 242

  8.4 Fiber Types 247

  8.5 Other Fiber Properties 251

  8.6 Working with Fibers 255

  8.7 Fiber Devices 260

  8.8 Diode Lasers and Fiber Optics 264

  8.9 Fiber Optic Sensors 264

  8.10 Intensity Sensors 265

  8.11 Spectrally Encoded Sensors 266

  8.12 Polarimetric Sensors 269

  8.13 Fiber Interferometers 270

  8.14 Two-Beam Fiber Interferometers 270

  8.15 Multiple Beam Fiber Interferometers 272

  8.17 Multiplexing and Smart Structures 276

  8.18 Fiber Sensor Hype 276

  9 Optical Systems 279

  9.1 Introduction 279

  9.2 What, Exactly, Does a Lens Do? 279

  9.3 Diffraction 288

  9.4 Aberrations 300

  9.5 Representing Aberrations 303

  9.6 Optical Design Advice 306

  9.7 Practical Applications 308

  9.8 Illuminators 311

  10 Optical Measurements 315

  10.1 Introduction 315

  10.2 Grass on the Empire State Building 315

  10.3 Detection Issues: When Exactly Is Background Bad? 318

  1 Measure the Right Thing 322

  10.5 Getting More Signal Photons 324

  10.6 Reducing the Background Fluctuations 326

  10.7 Optically Zero-Background Measurements 328

  10.8 Spectrally Resolved Measurements 329

  10.9 Electronically Zero-Background Measurements 333

  10.10 Labeling Signal Photons 336

  10.11 Closure 341

  11 Designing Electro-Optical Systems 343

  11.1 Introduction 343

  11.2 Do You ReallyWant To Do This? 343

  11.3 Very Basic Marketing 350

  11.4 Classes of Measurement 352

  11.5 Technical Taste 354

  11.6 Instrument Design 357

  11.7 Guiding Principles 361

  11.8 Design for Alignment 364

  11.9 Turning a Prototype into a Product 367

  12 Building Optical Systems 371

  12.1 Introduction 371

  12.2 Construction Style 371

  12.3 Build What You Designed 372

  12.4 Assembling Lab Systems 373

  12.6 Collimating Beams 381

  12.7 Focusing 383

  12.8 Alignment and Testing 385

  12.9 Prototypes 386

  12.10 Aligning Beams with Other Beams 387

  12.11 Advanced Tweaking 390

  12.13 Adhesives 397

  12.14 Cleaning 400

  12.15 Environmental Considerations 402

  13 Signal Processing 405

  13.1 Introduction 405

  13.2 …