PHYC30080

Learning Outcomes:

You will acquire a fundamental and interconnected understanding of geometric and laser optics, Fourier methods and spectroscopy. By nature of being fundamental physics, this is broadly applicable across industries and science.

Indicative Module Content:

1. Background and ray optics.
A background is given on complex numbers, waves and rays. We consider refraction, reflection, lenses and imaging using rays.

2. Rays and Lasers, a unified approach.
We unite geometric optics with diffractive laser optic. Using a straight forward but powerful matrix tool, we investigate the behaviour of lenses and lens systems and we explore the idea of principal planes. We then apply the same methods to predict the behavioiur of lasers beams and primary properties of laser cavities. We also discuss geometric aberrations.

3. The Fourier transform in optics and lasers.
We introduce the complex Fourier transform and relate it to the optics of free propagation, a single lens and a telescope. We explore the scaling theorem, delta functions, a spatial or temporal displacement relating to a Fourier linear phase and visa-versa. We develop a Fourier understanding of interference from experiments such as Young's slits and diffraction gratings, and we consider diffraction from hard and soft apertures. We go on to derive and use the convolution theorem in one and two dimensions and the associated OTF, PSF and MTF. We consider applications of convolution, for example to understand fluorescence and the temporal output of a pulsed laser. Finally, we consider dispersion, group and phase velocity.

4. Coherence and spectroscopy.
We explore coherence and visibility in spectroscopy using our learning from themes 2 and 3. We arrive at criteria for observation such as rayleigh, Strehl and Sparrow, resolving power and finesse. We consider the Fresnel zone plate and the effects of a partial degree of coherence.

Student Effort Hours:

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

We blend in-class and online learning. Attendance is required in class weekly for both lectures and feedback & discussion synchronised with the delivery of our module materials. You are assigned a homework worksheet each week in relation to that week's materials. Later in the weekly cycle you submit your solutions. Your worksheet is returned to you graded in the subsequent session and we focus to addressing your questions on that worksheet, also introducing your next worksheet.

Physics isn't best learnt by rote, or in an ivory tower. Rather it is learnt from independent struggles with problems, whilst pulling on materials and discussion. We hold an assessed session of Q&A weekly, in which we address questions you propose in sync with the module delivery.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Learning Requirements:

Irish/UK/US introductory-level maths for university engineering/physics, or equivalent level, to include: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, integral and differential calculus of algebraic and trigonometric functions including up to second-order differential equations

Learning Recommendations:

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy

 

Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Continuous assessment and feedback is synchronised with the delivery of our module materials weekly. You are assigned a homework worksheet each week that exercises the week's materials and you submit this at the start of the following week. In the subsequent session, I return your worksheet graded, and we focus to addressing your questions on it. We also introduce/discuss your next worksheet. We hold an assessed Q&A session weekly in which we address questions proposed by you, focused to the week's materials. Your learning from all sessions and module materials is assessable in our final exam.

The course materials are contained in our lectures, workshops and homework, so be sure to attend and complete all of these components during teaching semester. You are assessed on these materials. No one book covers the course but the following sources provide for a reference in relation to the course materials: a) Hecht, ‘Optics’; b) Born and Wolf, ‘Principles of Optics’; c) Siegman, ‘Lasers’.