Modern Optics Podcast

We look at the behavior of electrooptic devices as amplitude and phase modulators.

We look at birefringence in crystals and discuss optical activity and the Faraday effect.

We look at the vectorial nature of light and describe polarization in terms of Jones vectors

Diffraction from a double slit is discussed. The convolution theorem is presented and the grating equation is derived. (incomplete)

We look at the relationship between far-field (Fraunhofer) diffraction and the Fourier transform, and explore the diffraction pattern of a uniformly illuminated circular aperture, which leads to the Rayleigh criterion for resolution in an optical system.

We look at Fraunhofer diffraction from a slit and for a Gaussian beam. We use Huygen's principle and also discuss Babinet's principle

We discuss unconventional types of fibers including photonic crystal fibers

We introduce the basic principles and parameters associated with fiber optics

We introduce the coherence function and look at the relationship between coherence, bandwidth and linewidth.

Fourier Series are introduced and are generalized to the Fourier sine and cosine tansform

We look at the transmission of a Fabry-Perot interferometer and discuss properties like the free spectral range, finesse and linewidth.

We investigate the Michelson interferometer and the relationship between physical parameters and the interference term.

We look at the interference term present when two waves interfere and discuss the effect coherence has on fringe visibility

We look at the difference between group velocity and phase velocity in a dispersive material and introduce the Fourier transform

We investigate the behavior of multiple waves that overlap in space and time.

We look at Maxwell's equations and use them to find the wave equation for electromagnetic radiation. We then investigate various solutions to the wave equation.

We introduce thick lenses and discuss parameters necessary to describe them. We go on to introduce ray matrices.

We look at methods for solving imaging problems using ray matrices.

We introduce the thin lens equation and the lens makers formula and the concept of ray tracing.

We Introduce Huygen's principle and Fermat's principle and use them to derive Snell's law and the law of reflection.

Modern Optics provides a framework for understanding and analyzing optical wave propagation, interference, polarization and diffraction effects. This framework is essential for those who will work with imaging systems, lasers, optical communication systems, and optical measurements.

Syllabus for Physics 158 at SJSU, Spring 2008