PH3210 Optics

Last modified July 13, 2009

Course Description:

This course is designed to introduce the important concepts on geometrical and physical optics. The course consists of two sections: A) instruction and B) laboratory. Topics in geometrical optics include ray analysis, lenses, prisms, and optical fibers. Topics in physical optics include polarization, interference, interferometry, and diffraction. In the laboratory section, we will explore optics through experiments in thin lenses, fiber optics and communication, interferometer, diffraction, filters, lasers, and frequency conversion.

Text:

Optics, 4 th Edition, Eugene Hecht (ISBN 0-8053-8566-5),
Fundamentals of optics / Francis A. Jenkins, Harvey E. White (McGraw-Hill, New York 1976)

Course Rationale:

Provides an in-depth look at classical and modern optics, including a lab experience. This course is required for physics and applied physics majors.

Grading:

The grade of this course will be evaluated based on your academic performance, effort, and learning attitude in both the instruction and laboratory sections.

Instruction (60%):
You are required to read the text before attending each lecture (at least 1 hour) and also review your text after the class (at least 1 hour). Assignment will be given about once in a week. These assignments will be collected before the class of the submission day. Discussion on these assignments will be conducted in the class after the grading. In addition, both mid-term and final exams will be scheduled for this course. Questions in the exams will be based on the important concepts that you have learned in the assignments, instruction, and laboratory sections. Class participation, learning attitude, and exams will contribute to the grade of this section.
Laboratory (40%):
You are required to read up the instruction, and the theory of the experiments before each experiment. All experiments require a report written in a format to be discussed. Reports are due before the beginning of the next experiment. Your grade for this section is based on your reports, lab participation, and attitude in the lab. Go to PH3210 Optics: Laboratory Instructions.