OPTI 200

07/06

OPTI 200.  Light, Color and Vision (3) II. Explore optical technology and phenomena, including color and vision, light in art and nature, lasers, telescopes, cameras and fiber optics. This course, designed for non-science majors, will feature demonstrations and hands-on learning with only basic math. P, two courses from NATS 100-104.  

Course Outline (50-minute lectures): 

            1-Fundamental properties of light

            2-Sources of light

            3-Reflection and Refraction

            4-Geometrical (ray) optics

            5-Imaging with mirrors and lenses

            6-Cameras and photography

            7-Human vision

            8-Optical instruments

            9-Color

            10-Wave optics

            11-Light and color in art and nature

            12-Holography

            13-Lasers  

Instructor:

Dr. Michael Nofziger, Meinel Bldg. Room 412A, 626-8363,    
nofziger@optics.arizona.edu 

Office Hours: T (3-5pm), W (3-5pm)

Course Objectives and Expected Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, each student should:

            - understand the fundamental properties of light.

            - understand the history and current technologies of lighting.

            - be able to apply the law of reflection to understand how mirrors work.

            - be able to apply the rules of ray tracing (graphical technique) to
               predict how a mirror or a lens forms an image:

                        -- where the image forms

                        -- how large the image is (magnification)

                        -- what the orientation of the image is

            - be able to apply the imaging equation (algebraic technique) to predict
               how a mirror or a lens forms an image:

                        -- where the image forms

                        -- how large the image is (magnification)

                        -- what the orientation of the image is

            - be able to explain optical phenomena in the atmosphere.

                 (rainbows, sun dogs, halos, etc.)

            - understand how optical fibers work.

            - understand how cameras (film and digital) work, including their optics:

                        -- have an appreciation for the history of photography.

                        -- understand how a classic SLR camera works:

                                    --- the optics of a camera lens (early lenses to modern-
                                         day zoom lenses)

                                    --- the sequence of f-numbers on a camera lens

                                    --- depth of field

                        -- understand how a digital camera works:

                                    --- CCD chips and pixels

                                    --- lenses used in digital cameras

            - understand how the human eye functions as an optical system:

                        -- be able to explain how the image is formed on the retina

                        -- be able to explain rod vs. cone vision

                        -- be able to explain near- vs. far-sightedness

                        -- be able to explain the eye chart used for vision testing

            - understand the basics of how optical instruments work:

                        -- magnifying glasses, telescopes, microscopes, binoculars

            - understand the basics of color:

                        -- how we see color

                        -- additive color mixing (color from TV and computer displays)

                        -- subtractive color mixing (color from printing, dyes, inks and
                           paint)

                        -- additive vs. subtractive primary colors

 Grade Policies: 

            Homework                              30%     

            Lab Notebook                          20%

            Research Paper                       25%

            Midterm Exam                        10%

            Final Exam                             10%

            Unannounced quizzes               5% 

Course Policies:

Attendance Policy:

It is important to attend all classes, as what is discussed in class is pertinent to adequate performance on assignments and exams.  If you must be absent, it is your responsibility to obtain and review the information you missed. Unannounced quizzes will be given to encourage attendance, and to help you gauge your progress in learning the material. 

If you miss the midterm or final exams, they may not be made up unless you have   a documented medical or family emergency. Quizzes may not be made up for any   reason. 

Textbook (required):

Seeing the Light: Optics in Nature, Photography, Color, Vision, and Holography, D. Falk, D. Brill & D. Stork (1986).

Optics Made Clear: The Nature of Light and How We Use It, William L. Wolfe, SPIE Press, 1st Ed.

Examinations and papers:

There will be one midterm (in-class), a final exam (in-class) and a research paper due.

Required extracurricular activities:

(none)

Special materials for the class:

A lab notebook is required.  All equipment for labs and demonstrations will be provided.