Module: Optics (UL)

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Optics (UL)
Module Code	PS480L
School	School of Physical Sciences
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Eilish McLoughlin Semester 2: Eilish McLoughlin Autumn: Eilish McLoughlin
Module Teachers	Eilish McLoughlin
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only

Description

The aim of this course is to develop and extend the students knowledge of the principles of physical optics and introduce the students to contemporary optics.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe how physical optics effects arise and the principles that underlie contemporary optics.
2. Discuss the physical processes responsible for physical optics and in contemporary optics.
3. Describe physical basis and experimental observations of physical optics
4. Derive relevant equations describing physical and contemporary optics, from basic laws and principles.
5. Solve numerical problems, from information provided, on the topics covered.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	2 hours of asychronous lectures per week accessed as pre-recorded videos
Online activity	24	2 hours of scheduled synchronous online activities per week.
Assessment Feedback	24	Student learning support facilitated through small-group tutorials with flexible provision.
Independent Study	53	Student self directed learning
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

Waves
wave description, wave equation, plane waves.

Electromagnetic energy transport
EM waves, Poynting vector. Light in a dielectric: electron-oscillator model, refractio

Light at an interface
refraction, reflection, Fresnel equations

Polarization
polarisation states, Malus's law, birefringence, wave plates and compensators, optical activity, photoelasticity.

Interferometry
wavefront splitting interferometers, amplitude splitting interferometers, multiple beam interference, applications

Diffraction
Frauhofer diffraction, Fresnel diffraction, Kirchoffs scalar diffraction theory

Fourier optics:
Fourier transforms, optical applications

Coherence
visibility and mutual coherence.

Contemporary optics:
lasers, fibre optics, holography, nonlinear optics.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Completion of online activity	Solve optics problem based on mathematical/quantitative aspects of module concepts	50%	As required
In Class Test	Solve optics problem based on mathematical/quantitative aspects of module concepts	50%	Once per semester

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 1

Indicative Reading List

E. Hecht: 2003, Optics 4th Edition, Pearson Education,
F.L. Pedrotti & L.M. Pedrotti: 2006, Introduction to Optics 3rd Edition, Pearson Education,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

PDITP

Professional Diploma in Teaching Physics

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