OPTI 310

08/08

OPTI 310. Physical Optics I  (3). Review of math concepts, waves, and EM theory, Maxwell’s equations and the wave equation, plane-wave solution and properties, Lorentz oscillator model of optical properties, reflection and refraction at a dielectric interface,  Fabry-Perot, multilayer films, polarization optics, Jones calculus, Fraunhofer diffraction, single and double slit diffraction, Airy disk for a circular aperture. P, PHYS 241, MATH 223, MATH 254 and OPTI 280.

Instructor

Professor Ewan M. Wright
College of Optical Sciences
Meinel Bldg. Rm. 626
Email: ewan.wright@optics.arizona.edu
Webpage: http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Wright/
Phone: 520-621-2406

Office Hours: Official office hours are Tues. & Thurs. 12:00-1:00 pm, but if am available I will be happy to speak with students if they stop by my office.

Class Schedule

Classes are from 10:00 -10:50 am each MWF in Rm. 305 of the Meinel building. The first lecture will be on Monday August 25th, 2008.  All electronic devices such as cell phones, beepers etc. must be turned of during class. 

Overall course objectives and expected learning outcomes

The goal of this course is to synthesize what the students have been learning in their earlier classes on electromagnetics (Phys 241) and mathematics (Math 223 & 254) into the tools and basic concepts that underpin the study of physical optics based on the wave theory of light, as opposed to geometric optics based on rays.  The class will therefore raise the level of mathematics previously use by the students in their optics classes, but care will be taken throughout to not get bogged down in the mathematics but rather to relate it to the physical problem at hand and its relevance for the further study of optics.
 

At the end of the class students should be conversant with several basic concepts required for the further study of physical optics including:
 

• Basics of wave motion
• Maxwell’s equation in integral and differential from
• Maxwell’s wave equation and properties of the plane-wave solution
• Reflection & refraction at an interface
• Multiple reflection and the Fabry-Perot interferometer
• Polarization and its description
• Basic concepts of diffraction by planar objects
   

These topics are seminal to the continued study of physical optics.  An important component of the class is that students will be required to explore several of the important results from the class using Matlab based numerical examples,  the required computing skills being compatible with what you have covered in Opti 280.

Grading

The final grade shall be based on homeworks and exams as follows:

• Homework - 20%
• Midterm exam 1  - 25%
• Midterm exam 2 - 25% 
• Final exam - 30%

There will typically be a homework set assigned each week, the homework being made available as a pdf file through my web page http://www.optics.arizona.edu/Wright/. The problems are designed to have you explore the material covered during the preceding week.  Some problems will involve plotting examples of important formulae using Matlab.  Solution sets will also be posted on my webpage.

The homework problems are designed to teach you the topics covered in class by challenging you to solve problems that will require you to explore and use the material covered in class. Each student must submit an independent and structured solution set that clearly displays that you have understood the problem and its solution. A badly structured solution set that nonetheless leads to a correct final answer may well get a worse grade than a well organized solution set that conveys that the student has understood the problem and its solution but goes astray and leads to a wrong answer. Poorly legible solution sets will not be assigned a score (the same goes for exams).

There will be two in-class, closed book and notes, midterm exams each accounting for 25% of the final grade, and a closed book and notes final exam accounting for 30% of the final grade on Friday Dec. 12 from 11:00-1:00 pm. A missed test may be made up, but only with a written medical excuse or family emergency (made known to me before the test is given).  NO OTHER EXCUSES will be accepted.

Calculators (with no text stored) may be used during the tests and final exam.  No other form of electronic device may be used (no computers, laptops, PDA's, etc). Cell phones are absolutely prohibited during tests and the final exam.

Late Policy

All homework is due at the beginning of class (10:00am) on the due date.  Anything turned in after that will be considered late (unless specified otherwise).

Late homework may be turned in as late as the beginning of the next class after which it was originally due, but NO LATER since the solution sets will be made available at that time.  (Work due on a Wednesday may be turned in as late as the start of class the next Friday.  Work due on a Friday may be turned in as late as the start of class the next Monday, at the main lecture). The maximum attainable grade for late homework is 50 %.

Absence policy

It is very important to attend all possible lectures to obtain maximum benefit from the class. In cases where I become aware of excessive absences I shall first alert the student involved and the Academic Office to the situation and if it continues an E grade shall be awarded.  Exceptions will be made for absences due to religious holidays or special events with which a student is affiliated, or absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students.

Textbooks:

• Hecht, Optics (4^th Edition).
• Fowles, Introduction to Modern Optics (2^nd Edition).

Classroom Behavior and policies

Threatening behavior by anyone will not be tolerated.  If I perceive that someone is acting in a threatening manner during this semester, I will immediately report that person to the Campus Police and to the Dean of Students.  Please maintain a civil and collegial demeanor with all individuals so that we can all profit from the educational experience offered at the University.

Cell phones are absolutely prohibited during tests and the final exam, and are to be turned off during every class.

No talking during class, except when asking questions or during class discussions.  Whispering to your neighbor is incredibly disruptive to the entire class, and won’t be tolerated.

Food and drink are prohibited in the classroom.

Policy on plagiarism:  Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form.