Instrumental optics 1101-4Opt23

Program:
1. Interaction between electromagnetic field and matter: transmission, refractive index, dispersion. Specification of the optical elements' parameters.
2. Anisotropic media: light propagation in birefringent crystals, ordinary and extraordinary rays, walk-off.
3. Light polarisation: matrix formalism, polarizers, waveplates, compensators.
4. Light at the boundaries: transmission and reflection, metal and dielectric coatings.
5. Geometrical optics.
6. Optical aberrations.
7. Optical devices: eye, eyepiece, compound lens, microscope.
8. Interference and diffraction, interferometers.
9. Spectrum of the electromagnetic waves, spectrometers.
10. Optical resonators: modes, stability conditions.
11. Gaussian beams: definition, properties, propagation in ABCD matrix formalism.
12. Optical fibers and fiber optics.
13. Light modulation and modulators.
14. Detection of light.
15. Adaptive optics.
16. Nonlinear frequency conversion: harmonics, sum and difference frequency generation, parametric processes.

P. Wasylczyk, April 2009

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, a student gains the following:

KNOWLEDGE

1. knows the most important terms in instrumental optics,
2. knows the basic experimental techniques in optics,

SKILS

1. can qualitatively explain optical phenomena,
2. is able to analyze the working processess behind devices and apparata used in optical experiments

BASICS

1. recognizes principles of planning and conducting scientific experiments,
2. appreciates the importance of experimetal optics for civilization progress.

Assessment criteria

Final written exam: ca. 15 open and 15 closed questions, including drawing simple schemes and diagrams.

Estimated workload:
Participating in the lecture: 30 h
Homework: 5 h
Preparing for the exam and the exam: 15 h

Practical placement

Not applicable.

Bibliography

1. W. Demtroder, "Laser spectroscopy"
2. Hecht, "Optics"