This is a "desk book." Because the notation is so standard, you will find yourself flipping back to his definitions of the correlation function for years. How to Supplement Your Reading
Despite being a "theory" book, it consistently ties abstract operators back to what a photomultiplier tube or a beam splitter actually sees. Key Topics Covered loudon quantum theory of light pdf better
Often available as a free, high-quality legal PDF online, it provides a more modern, slightly more mathematical take that complements Loudon’s physical intuition. This is a "desk book