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Curricular information is subject to change
The student acquires an understanding of geometric optics, laser optics, Fourier methods and spectroscopy that is transportable across technologies, industries and fields of science.
Indicative Module Content:Propagation of light
Complex numbers, phasors, waves and wave-equations, refractive index. Refraction, reflection, TIR, Fermat, Intro to behavior of transmission and reflection for polarized light.
Rays and Lasers, a unified matrix approach.
Equations for transmission and reflection for polarized light, Pointing, irradiance. Geometric optics and rays, ray tracing, optical systems, 2x2 matrices for ray propagation: free propagation, lens, flat and curved interface, curved mirror, curved interface, duct. Derivations for curved interface, lens maker’s formula, matrix for thick lens. Introduction to principle planes. Geometric aberrations. Laser beam analysis using matrices. Laser beam analysis using matrices. Laser action and pulsing. Fourier series and Fourier transform, Complex Fourier transform in space or time, optical Fourier transform using a lens. Fourier transforms of summed functions, Gaussian function.
The Fourier transform in optics and lasers.
Delta function, spatial displacement transforming to a linear phase and visa-versa. The scaling theorem. Considering a lens in f-f¬ arrangement and propagation to the far-field as optical Fourier transforms. Deriving propagation to the far-field as an FT using the idea of wavelets. Fourier transforms of rectangular function (slit), cylinder function (cf. PSF for circular aperture later in course). Superposition, temporal shifts/linear phase in frequency, sine and cosine functions considered as interference between slits and considered in time-frequency space. Convolution, Convolution theorem: its derivation and applications in one and two dimensions e.g., mechanical, optical transfer function. Convolution theorem examples: atomic emission spectrum, mode-locked laser operation in time and frequency. Fourier transformation with a 4-f telescope and spatial filtering. Group and phase velocity, dispersion.
Coherence in spectroscopy and light propagation.
Coherence and visibility. Fundamental understanding of spectrometers and considering Michelson, Etalon, Grating. Strehl, revisiting far-field (Fraunhoffer limit), slit aperture/rectangular aperture. Fresnel zone plate. Resolving Power, Finesse, resolution, Rayleigh and Sparrow criteria.
Student Effort Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lectures | 22 |
Small Group | 10 |
Specified Learning Activities | 44 |
Autonomous Student Learning | 44 |
Total | 120 |
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:PHYC 20010
Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Examination: Written exam at end of semester | 2 hour End of Trimester Exam | No | Graded | No | 50 |
Continuous Assessment: Homework | Varies over the Trimester | n/a | Graded | No | 50 |
Resit In | Terminal Exam |
---|---|
Summer | Yes - 2 Hour |
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
Graded homework is returned to you on Bpsace. We have a live post-discussion/Q&A on each homework in a following class session.