Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2023 - 2024
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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) PolarisationDefinition of states of Polarisation; Birefringence; Dichroism; Polarisers and Retarders; Polarisation by Reflection and Scattering; Induced Birefringence (Kerr Cell).(ii) InterferenceSuperposition 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 CavitiesAbsorption and Emission, Einstein Coefficients, Beer-Lambert Law, Inversion, Gain, Longitudinal Cavity Modes, Laser Action, Transverse Modes(v) Fourier OpticsSpatial 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 activitiesStudents 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indicative Reading List
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other Resources 0, Loop, 0, PS307 lecture notes on Loop, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Programme or List of Programmes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Archives: |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||