EP3 -1: Introduction to Optics Course Outline

1. Mathematical Review
a) Geometry
b) Trigonometry
c) Vectors
d) Matrices
e) Complex Numbers
f) Coordinate Systems
g) Series Expansion
h) Quadratic Equations
i) Calculus

2. Introduction to Waves
a) Review of Basic Physics
b) Simple Harmonic Oscillation
c) Travelling Waves
d) Demonstration of Standing Waves
e) 2D waves
f) 3D waves

3. Light as a Wave
a) What is Light?
b) Background to Maxwell’s Equations
Coulomb’s Law
Electric Fields
Gauss’s Law
Electric Potential
Electric Current
Demonstration of Magnetic Fields
Ampere’s Law
Faraday’s Law
c) Maxwell’s Equations and Electromagnetic Waves
d) Properties of Electromagnetic Waves
e) More on Mechanisms and the Index of Refraction

4. Reflection
a) General Principles of Reflection
b) Objects and Images in Plane Mirrors
c) Objects and Images in Spherical Mirrors
Radius of Curvature, Object and Image Distance
Focal Point, Object and Image Height
Spherical Aberration
d) Aspherical Mirrors
e) Graphical Methods
 EP3 -1: Introduction to Optics Course Outline

5. Refraction
a) General Principles of Refraction
b) Refraction through Plane Surfaces
c) Refraction through Prisms
d) Applications of Prisms
e) Other Examples of Refraction

6. Simple Optical Systems

a) Refraction through One Spherical Surface
Focal Points and Focal Lengths
Transverse Magnification
b) Refraction through Two Spherical Surfaces: Lenses
Focal Points and Focal Lengths
Newtonian Formula and Longitudinal Magnification
c) Combinations of Thin Lens
d) Analytical Ray Tracing and Matrix Optics

7. Wavefront Splitting Interference

a) Linear Superposition and Interference
b) Standing Waves
c) Beats
d) Phasors
e) Interference
Two Slit Experiment
Three, Four and Five Slit Interference
Other Interference Devices

8. Amplitude Splitting Interference

a) The Rainbow
b) Optical Path Difference and Thin Films
c) Thin Films with Fringes of Equal Inclination
d) Thin Films with Fringes of Equal Thickness
e) Transmitting Thin Films
f) Interferometers

9. Fraunhoffer Diffraction
a) Single Slit Diffraction: Minima
b) Single Slit Diffraction: Analysis with Phasors
c) Single Slit Diffraction: Maxima
d) Double Slit Diffraction
e) Multiple Slit Diffraction
f) Diffraction Gratings