PH 481/581 - PHYSICAL OPTICS

Winter 2023

Course Information

Physical Optics is a course about light or electromagnetic waves. We cover wave propagation, polarization, interference, diffraction, and selected topics in modern optics. You are expected to be familiar with the material covered in the Paradigm on Oscillations and Waves (PH 424) and the Capstone on Electromagnetism (PH 431). The general philosophy is to ask as many questions as possible, and be an active participant in classes; it's more fun for all of us that way! I expect you to have read the assigned material before class. I do not intend to repeat detailed derivations in the text, but you are still required to understand them. Read widely - other texts present the same material in a different way and also give other examples.

Lecture times: MWF 10:00 - 10:50 in Weniger 304

• Homework will be due weekly.
• Homework should be turned in before class on the day it is due. The solutions will be posted promptly, after which homework is considered late. If your homework is late, I may grade it if you have an acceptable excuse, I may scale it as exp(-N) where N is the number of days past due.
• The ground rules for the homework are:
  • 1. We strongly encourage students to work with each other, more advanced students, the TA, and the professor, when they get stuck on assignments. However, each student is expected to turn in independent assignments that show evidence of individual thought.
  • 2. Homework solutions from previous years are strictly off-limits. You are on your honor not to use them. Allow faculty to use their time interacting with you, rather than continually thinking up new assignments. Besides, if you don't do the work yourself, it will show up very clearly on exams.
  • 3. Sources must be appropriately documented. If you find a homework problem worked out somewhere (other than homework solutions from previous years), you may certainly use that resource, just make sure you reference it properly. If someone else helps you solve a problem, reference that too. In a research paper, the appropriate reference would be: Jane Doe, (private communication).

Students shall be able to:

• Analyze optical refraction using Snell's Law.
• Analyze the polarization properties of an optical system.
• Analyze birefringent optical systems.
• Analyze two-beam and multiple-beam optical interference.
• Build and analyze Michelson and Fabry-Perot interferometers.
• Analyze diffraction in the Fraunhofer and Fresnel limits.
• Use a liquid crystal spatial light modulator to study Fourier optics.
• Measure and analyze diffraction from arrays of apertures.

• Analyze an advanced optical system involving lasers, modulators, nonlinear optics, or other modern equipment.

PH 481: Final exam 35%. Midterm exam 25%. Labs 20%. Homework 20%.
PH 581: Final exam 35%. Midterm exam 25%. Labs 15%. Homework 15%. Paper 10%
FINAL: Thursday 23 March 12:00 pm

A short paper on a topic of your choosing is required. It can be an extension of a problem assigned in class or of a physical phenomenon discussed in class or lab. The paper should be handed in and presented as a 10-minute talk on the final day of class. A topic should be proposed in writing by February 15. The level of effort expected is approximately equivalent to 1-2 week's homework. Some guidelines should help avoid pitfalls. If any member of the PH 481 class is interested in this option, please talk to me.

• E. Hecht, "Optics" (5^th Ed.) Pearson © 2017.

Accommodations for students with disabilities are determined and approved by Disability Access Services (DAS). If you, as a student, believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not obtained approval please contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098 or at http://ds.oregonstate.edu. DAS notifies students and faculty members of approved academic accommodations and coordinates implementation of those accommodations. While not required, students and faculty members are encouraged to discuss details of the implementation of individual accommodations.