PH3292 Applied Optics

This is an intermediate-level course in optics with emphasis on optical systems used by the DoD. It includes a review of basic geometric and physical optics, laws of reflection and refraction at interfaces, imaging systems, and aberrations. Matrix methods for paraxial ray tracing and optical systems analysis and design are covered. Common optical instruments and systems are studied. In wave optics, interference of light, Michelson's and Fabry-Perot interferometers are addressed. Huygens-Fresnel principle, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, Young's double slit experiment, multiple-slit systems, and diffraction gratings are studied. Finally, polarization of light is studied, including mathematical models and instrumentation. All topics will be enriched with applications, practical examples and laboratory work.

Prerequisite

PH3352 (can be taken concurrently)

Lecture Hours

4

Lab Hours

2

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the function of basic optical components and their main properties.

2. Understand the main aspects of image formation through reflection and refraction of light.

3. Apply ray optics and matrix methods to design and analyze simple optical systems.

4. Understand the basic functionalities and properties of common optical instruments.

5. Analyze interference patterns to compute optical and geometrical properties of the involved components.

6. Understand the main characteristics of Michelson and Fabry-Perot interferometers.

7. Apply interferometry to compute physical displacement and refractive indexes of materials in different phases.

8. Apply diffraction theory to compute resolvability of optical systems.

9. Predict diffraction characteristics of apertures and obstacles and the effects of their sizes and light source wavelength.

10. Understand polarization of light and polarization manipulation devices.