Courses

This course is designed to be an introduction to the principles of optics. It is divided in two main parts. The first part will present the theory of geometrical optics where light is treated as a ray to grasp the basics of light reflection and refraction. These principles will be applied to the study of image formation, lenses, mirrors, aberrations, prisms, fibre optics, optical system design and optical instruments.

The second part will present the theory of physical optics (also called wave optics or modern optics) where light is treated as waves. Topics studied include coherence, interference, diffraction, polarization, Fourier optics, etc.

Covered topics include: the nature of light; geometric optics, aberrations, optical instruments; Maxwell’s equations, vector nature of light, polarization; coherence and interference; Fourier transform spectroscopy and interferometry; Fraunhofer diffraction, Fresnel diffraction; optics of solids.

Prerequisites: PHYS 201, 241; MATH 221/ENGR 221 or MATH 367.  3 credits and lab.

This course is designed to be an introduction to the principles of optics. It is divided in two main parts. The first part will present the theory of geometrical optics where light is treated as a ray to grasp the basics of light reflection and refraction. These principles will be applied to the study of image formation, lenses, mirrors, aberrations, prisms, fibre optics, optical system design and optical instruments.

The second part will present the theory of physical optics (also called wave optics or modern optics) where light is treated as waves. Topics studied include coherence, interference, diffraction, polarization, Fourier optics, etc.

A lab component (3 hours per week) will provide hands-on experience handling optical equipment and develop the ability to appraise, use and interpret data to explain the physical phenomena involved. The laboratory is situated in room 1067 in the Physical Sciences Building (first door at your left after the stairs).

It is expected that students are familiar with the mathematics of complex numbers, ordinary differential equation/partial differential equation analysis and Fourier transform.

INTRODUCTION

Chapter	Topics
1	The nature of light

PART 1: GEOMETRICAL OPTICS

Chapter	Topics
2	Reflection, refraction and image construction
3	Aberration theory
4	Instrumentation: camera, microscopes, telescopes, the eye

 

PART 2: WAVE OPTICS

Chapter	Topics
5	Wave essentials
6	Interferometry: Notion of coherence, Young’s slit experiment, Newton rings, Michelson interferometer, Fabry-Pérot interferometer
7	Properties of lasers
8	Introduction to diffraction, Fraunhofer diffraction, diffraction grating, Fresnel diffraction
9	Polarization and production of polarized light
10	Fibre optics
11	Holography
12	Fourier optics

 

Assignments

Assignments will be given periodically. You will usually have a week to complete each of them and submit your paper.

Midterm and final exam

The exact date for the midterm exam will be decided during the course; the final exam date is set by the university registrar. The mid term and final exams are without books or notes. Only non-programmable calculator is allowed. Students are expected to learn and know the course material.

Labs

Labs are mandatory. In order to qualify to pass this course, you must receive a passing grade in the lab component.  Details are given in the lab manual.