Module: Wave Optics

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Wave Optics
Module Code	PS307
School	School of Physical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Jennifer Gaughran Semester 2: Jennifer Gaughran Autumn: Jennifer Gaughran
Module Teachers	Jennifer Gaughran
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Repeat examination
Resit of formal examination

Description

This course is designed to: (i) To provide an appreciation of the fundamental concepts of wave optics. (ii) To illustrate the relevance of these concepts in modern applications of optics (iii) To develop numerical problem solving skills in wave optics The course is predominantly knowledge-based. The main learning activities are attending lectures and tutorials and the related learning activity of solving numerical and other problems related to the topics covered. Students are expected to attend lectures and tutorials and to prepare for both by appropriate study (including the use of on-line moodle resources provided and textbooks) and thus be able to engage fully in discussions and other interactions in lectures and tutorials. Students are further expected to prepare for in-class tests and end of module examinations via study and, as needed, discussion with the lecturer.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the essential physical aspects of the phenomena of wave polarization, interference, diffraction and lasers and optical cavities both qualitatively and mathematically, including the generation and manipulation of particular polarizations, interference by division of wavefront and amplitude, diffraction from various simple aperture configurations and lasing conditions
2. Discuss, both qualitatively and mathematically, optical information storage, and image formation, and their linkages to other basic concepts in optics
3. Describe, both qualitatively and mathematically, examples of applications of interference, spatial filtering, lasers and optical cavities and practical holographic systems

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Lecture
Tutorial	6	Tutorial
Independent Study	95	Study for lectures, tutorials, in-class tests and final exam
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

(i) Polarisation
Definition of states of Polarisation; Birefringence; Dichroism; Polarisers and Retarders; Polarisation by Reflection and Scattering; Induced Birefringence (Kerr Cell).

(ii) Interference
Superposition and Two-beam Interference; Concept of Coherence; Interferometers (amplitude and wavefront-splitting); Michelson Interferometer and Applications; Multiple-beam Interference and Fabry-Perot Interferometer; AR-coatings, Interference Filters.

(iii) Diffraction:
Fraunhofer Diffraction (single, double, multiple slit); Circular Aperture and Spatial Resolving Power; Diffraction Gratings; Basic Fresnel Diffraction (Straight Edge, Slit & Zone Plate).

(iv) Lasers and Optical Cavities
Absorption and Emission, Einstein Coefficients, Beer-Lambert Law, Inversion, Gain, Longitudinal Cavity Modes, Laser Action, Transverse Modes

(v) Fourier Optics
Spatial Frequency, Periodic and Non-Periodic Spatial Waves (Fourier series and Fourier transforms in optics), Point Spread and Modulation Transfer Functions (Principles & Applications), Convolution and De-Convolution, Spatial Filtering and Phase Contrast Techniques.

Learning activities
Students are expected to attend lectures and tutorials and to prepare for both by appropriate study (including the use of on-line moodle resources provided and textbooks) and thus be able to engage fully in discussions and other interactions in lectures and tutorials. Students are further expected to prepare for in-class tests and end of module examinations via study and, as needed, discussion with the lecturer.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	20%	Examination Weight	80%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
In Class Test	CA in-class test ~ week 7 of semester – covering primarily problem-based testing of the mathematical/quantitative aspects of outcome 1 above	10%	Week 7
In Class Test	CA in-class test ~ week 12 of semester – covering primarily problem-based testing of the mathematical/quantitative aspects of outcome 2 & 3 above	10%	Week 12

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Hecht: 1998, Optics, 2 or more recent, All covered in syllabus, Addison Wesley,
Fowles: 1989, Introduction to Modern Optics, Reprint, All covered in syllabus, Dover Publications,

Other Resources

0, Loop, 0, PS307 lecture notes on Loop,

Programme or List of Programmes

AFU	Age Friendly University Programme
AP	BSc in Applied Physics
BSSA	Study Abroad (DCU Business School)
BSSAO	Study Abroad (DCU Business School)
HMSA	Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
HMSAO	Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science)
IESA	Study Abroad (Institute of Education)
IESAO	Study Abroad (Institute of Education)
PAN	BSc Physics with Data Analytics
PBM	BSc Physics with Biomedical Sciences
PHA	BSc in Physics with Astronomy
SHSA	Study Abroad (Science & Health)
SHSAO	Study Abroad (Science & Health)
SMPSC	Single Module Prof. Science and Health

Date of Last Revision

28-JAN-09

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