Principles of Optics

Principles of Optics
Electromagnetic wave phenomena, including polarization effects, interference, coherence, dispersion, ray theory, diffraction; introduction to quantum nature of light. Laboratory component emphasizes applications.
PHSCS
471
 Hours3.0 Credit, 3.0 Lecture, 1.0 Lab
 PrerequisitesPHSCS 123 & PHSCS 220 & MATH 302; or PHSCS 123 & PHSCS 220 & MATH 314; Math 303 or 334 or concurrent enrollment.
 RecommendedPhscs 318.
 TaughtWinter, Summer
 ProgramsContaining PHSCS 471
Course Outcomes

Basic Optics Concepts

Use mathematical and conceptual descriptions of propagation of light in matter, reflection/transmission at boundaries, polarization effects, interference, dispersion, coherence, image formation, diffraction, and quantum aspects of light to analyze and predict optical phenomena.

Lab Work

Manipulate and measure properties of light in a laboratory setting.

Mathematical Tools

Apply mathematical tools such as vector calculus, complex numbers, matrices, and Fourier transforms (1D and 2D) to optical problems.