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Course
Description
Optics is one of the oldest branches of physics, originating with the
ancient
Greeks. Some of classical geometric optics was developed in
the 17th and
18th centuries, and can therefore be said to have been well-understood
for
hundreds of years, a rather unusual claim in the sciences! At
the same
time, optics is one of the most modern and fast-developing fields in
physics,
thanks in large part to the invention of the laser, which has made
possible the
use of coherent optical fields of large amplitude, leading to the
discovery of
many new interactions between light and matter systems.
Because of the
importance of electromagnetic fields as a physical probe, the laser has
become
one of the primary tools of the experimental physicist, and this fact
alone may
almost justify the study of optics. However, the real
importance of
optics is not due to the excitement of current developments in the
field, but
runs much deeper.
Optics is the study of the propagation of electromagnetic waves, but the theory may be taken as a case study of wave propagation in general. And wave propagation is one of the most important subjects in physics, since the entities of modern physical theory are all wave phenomena--from the wave-like propagation of the gravitational and electromagnetic interactions to the matter-waves of quantum theory. By understanding the propagation of electromagnetic waves, we gain insight into the general problem of wave propagation, which is one of the deep themes of modern physical theory.
One particularly useful concept developed in optics is the recognition of two distinct regimes of wave propagation: the geometric limit and the wave regime. In the geometric picture of wave propagation, which applies when the optical wavelength is much smaller than other length scales in the region of study, wave motion is treated like the rectilinear propagation of particles. In the wave regime, the optical wavelength is comparable to other system dimensions, and a more complex treatment of the wave motion is necessary to include effects such as diffraction. This geometric versus wave propagation picture is precisely the same mathematical issue as the wave-particle duality of quantum mechanics, and thus we recognize a universal feature of wave behavior. Another useful concept we will develop is the notion of the transfer function, or transfer matrix in the linear approximation. Several apparently different problems in optics (propagation through lenses, polarization effects, propagation of laser field) can be described elegantly using matrix methods. This clever technique is not at all unique to optics, and is essentially a sophisticated use of the idea of linearity.
Of course, some of the content of our study of optics will be specific
to optics itself, the study of electromagnetic radiation in the visible
and near-visible wavelength region. Many of the problems we
will encounter are quite interesting and sometimes beautiful, and I
hope you will find that optics is not merely a useful subject to study,
but also a branch of physics of considerable charm.
Class Meetings: MWF
2nd
period on Zoom. We will usually meet only Mondays and Fridays.
Instructor: Tom Moses, D116 SMC, tel:
-7341.
You are encouraged to contact me for help or hints with the homework
problems.
Email the instructor: tmoses@knox.edu
Course Text:
Introduction to Optics, 3rd Edition, Frank L. Pedrotti,
S. J., Leno S. Pedrotti,
and Leno M. Pedrotti
(Prentice-Hall: Upper Saddle River, 2007).
ISBN: 0-13-149933-5.
(Also ok:
International Edition, ISBN 978-93-325-3499-5)
Homework:
Math
Review Homework:
Go
to online Math
Review Homework
Homework
will be assigned twice a week and due (usually) on Tuesdays and Fridays
at the
beginning
of class.
I encourage you to work together (and consult other texts), as this is
an
important part of learning to work on difficult problems, but you must
write up
your own independent solutions. You need to be working through the
problem out
of your own head to truly understand the solution. Copying solutions
from a
classmate is absolutely inappropriate. Furthermore, the use of solution
manuals
or online solution aids is strictly prohibited.
As is most often true in physics, especially in 300-level courses, the
homework
will require time and thought (so do not wait
until the night before to begin working on assignments.) I will be
grading
your
solutions not just your answers. I must be able to follow your work and
understand
your solution. If I cannot, significant points will be deducted even if
you got
the right answer.
Math skills, particularly calculus, geometry, and
arithmetic of
complex numbers, are important in learning optics. To
encourage reviewing
and practicing the necessary math skills, I've added a 5% Math Review
component
to the course grade. The Math review component will be
weighted ½ from
completing at least 3 of the online problem sets and ½ from
the an in-class
quiz.
Grade Weighting:
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Homework |
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Math Review |
5% |
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In-class
exams |
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Final
exam |
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In-Class
Exam Schedule:
Exam 1 Friday, 1/29
Exam 2 Wednesday, 3/3
Final Exam
Late Policy: Like most
science courses,
Physics 308
covers ground at a rapid rate and you are strongly advised not to fall
behind.
Please contact the instructor as early as possible if you
need help.
Extensions can be arranged in case of illness, emergencies,
and travel
(but not due to deadlines in other classes)--contact the instructor in
advance
when possible. Late homework is assessed a 20% penalty and
will not be accepted more than one week after
the deadline
unless previous arrangements have been made.
Approximate Course Calendar
| Week | Chapters | Topics |
| 1 | 1, 2 | Geometric optics |
| 2 | 2, 18 | Matrix optics |
| 3-4 | 3 | Optical instrumentation |
| Exam 1 | ||
| 5 | 7 | Interference |
| 6 | 8 | Optical interferometry |
| 7 | 14, 15 | Polarization |
| Exam 2 | ||
| 8 | 11, 12 | Fraunhofer diffraction, gratings |
| 9-10 | 9 | Coherence |
| Final exam | ||
Homework
Calendar - Winter 2021:
Math
Review Homework:
Go
to online Math
Review Homework
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Homework Set |
Homework PDF |
Due Date |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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