This tutorial text is for those who use special functions in their work or study but are not mathematicians. Traditionally, special functions arise as solutions to certain linear second-order differential equations with variable coefficients-equations having applications in physics, chemistry, engineering, etc. This book introduces these differential equations, their solutions, and their applications in optical science and engineering. In addition to the common special functions, some less common functions are included. Also covered are Zernike polynomials, which are widely used in characterizing the quality of any imaging system, as well as certain integral transforms not usually covered in elementary texts.

The mathematical treatment is kept at a low level (knowledge of elementary trigonometric and exponential functions, simple calculus, and solution of differential equations using the separation of variables technique is required). The book is liberally illustrated, and almost every chapter includes a set of Python 3.x codes that illustrate the use of these functions. Readers with a modest introduction to programming concepts will be able to modify these sample codes as needed.