OPTI 471A

OPTI 471A. Advanced Optics Laboratory I.  Monochromators and spectrophotometers, polarimetry, incoherent sources, interferometry and polarizing interferometry, Faraday rotation, advanced geometrical optics tests, infrared detectors, source characterization, fiber optic coupling and components. P, OPTI 330, 360, 370, CR 400.

Course Objectives:  

1.  Be able to apply the optical principles discussed in the junior and senior level optics courses to experimental situations.

2.  Be able to clearly and accurately summarize and communicate experimental procedures and results.

3.  Learn common optical methods and procedures that are routinely used in the optics industry.

4.  Understand safe and proper handling of commonly used optical equipment.

5.  Work in teams to solve design problems. 

Topics Covered:

Lab 1:  Monochromators and Spectrophotometers

Lab 2:  Mueller Matrix Polarimetry

Lab 3:   Incoherent Sources

Lab 4:   Laser Welding

Lab 5:   Interferometry 1

Lab 6:   Polariscope, Faraday Rotation & the Stress Optic Coefficient

Lab 7:   Interferometry 2

Lab 8:   Polarizing Interferometer

Lab 9:   Geometrical Optics Tests I:  Foucault, Star and Schlieren Test

Lab 10: Geometrical Optics Tests II:  Shack Hartmann and Ronchi Test

Lab 11: IR Camera, Source Characterization, and LC Filter

Lab 12: Fiber Coupling and Optical Circulators

Class/Laboratory Schedule: 

1.    One 4-hour lab session per week, 15-week semester

2.    One 50-minute recitation session per week.

Grading:

* Pre-lab and post-lab questions 20%

* Attendance & participation 10%

* Video summaries 10%

* Mid-term quiz 15%

* In-lab quiz 10%

* Laboratory report 10%

* Final exam 25%

Textbook:

No text required.  Background and reference readings will be posted on the class Web site.  Lab instruction handouts may be revised during the term so check for current versions. 

Lab Handouts:

Each lab has a handout describing the laboratory procedures.  The prelab questions are to be completed and handed in at the beginning of the laboratory session.  The postlab questions are due in class at the lecture following the lab. 

Lab Notebook:

Students are highly recommended to keep detailed lab notebooks recording procedures, data, and analysis.  Lab notebooks will not be collected or graded but can be used during tests.

Exams:

There will be a mid-term quiz, an in-lab quiz and a final exam.

Filmed Lab Summaries:

Every week each group will record a 3-minute video oral lab summary.  At the end of your lab session the TA will assist you in filming your group’s lab summary.  Within the three minutes everyone in the group must speak at least once.  Excerpts will be shown in class. 

Written Lab Report: