To understand the optical phenomena and their uses in physical systems
Propagation of Light & Image Formation: Huygens’ Principle, Fermat’s Principle, Laws of Reflection and Refraction, Refraction at a Spherical Surface, Thin Lenses, Newtonian Equation for a Thin Lens
Matrix Methods in Paraxial Optics: Ray Transfer Matrices, Thick Lens
Superposition & Interference: Standing Waves, Beats, Phase and Group Velocities, Thin Dielectric Films, Michelson and Fabry-Perot Interferometers, Resolving Power, Free-Spectral Range
Polarization: Linear, circular and elliptical polarization
Fraunhofer Diffraction: from a Single Slit, Rectangular and Circular Apertures, Double Slit, Many Slits
Coherence & Holography: Temporal Coherence, Spatial Coherence, Holography of a Point object and an Extended Object
Laser Basics: Stimulated Emission, Population Inversion, Resonators, Threshold and Gain
On completion of this course, students should be able to: