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I. Course Title: Optics

II. Course Number: PHYS 310

III. Credit Hours: 4 credits 

IV. Prerequisites: PHYS 112 or PHYS 222

V. Course Description: 

An intermediate course in geometrical and physical optics. Topics included are mirrors, lenses, interference, diffraction, scattering, polarization and introductory quantum optics.

Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

The student is expected to have taken a year of physics at the college level. Such courses generally include a section of optics. In PHYS 310, the topics covered in such elementary classes are reviewed and then developed further. In addition, other topics which are often not treated at all, or perhaps treated only briefly, in elementary physics are discussed in some depth in PHYS 310. Some examples of these might be: thick lenses, Fresnel diffraction, light scattering, lasers and holography. 

Optics has many applications in industrial, technological, and medical fields.  Although this course is a basic physics course, it also serves as an introduction to professional training in these areas.  Both the computational and problem-solving skills in the lecture, as well as the experimental and equipment skills developed in the laboratory, are of direct practical use in professional settings.

The syllabus for PHYS 310 is:

I. Geometrical optics

• 1. Reflection and refraction at a plane surface
• 2. Spherical mirrors
• 3. Refraction at a spherical surface
• 4. Thin lenses
• 5. Thick lenses
• 6. Lens aberrations (optional)
• 7. Optical instruments

II. Physical optics

• 1. Waves and their superposition
• 2. Interference of light from a double source
• 3. Interference due to multiple reflections
• 4. Fraunhofer diffraction
• 5. The double slit: interference and diffraction
• 6. The diffraction grating
• 7. Fresnel diffraction
• 8. Light as an electromagnetic wave
• 9. Scattering of light
• 10. Polarization

III. Modern topics

• 1. The speed of light and special relativity
• 2. Blackbody radiation and the origin of quantum theory
• 3. Atomic spectra
• 4. The photoelectric and Compton effects
• 5. Electro-optics and magneto-optics (optional)
• 6. The wave nature of particles: electron diffraction and the electron microscope (optional)
• 7. Lasers and holography

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

The lecture periods are part lecture, part problem-solving sessions. Quantitative problem solving is emphasized. The students are expected to have some familiarity with this through their experiences in PHYS 111:112 or PHYS 221:222. Skills learned in these courses are further developed in PHYS 310. As far as possible, examples and problems are related to the students' real-world experiences or to technological applications. Questions and classroom discussion are encouraged.

The lab exercises are chosen to complement the lecture material. For example, when polarization is being discussed, the lab for that week will be a polarization lab, illustrating at least some of the principles being covered in class. The lab work will also emphasize correct experimental procedures, data taking, error analysis, and the drawing of conclusions. A lab report must be submitted for each lab exercise.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

1. Students will be acquainted with the nature and behavior of light, and with the operation of optical instruments.
2. Students will enhance their problem-solving and logical thinking skills through the application of these skills to quantitative optical problems.
3. Students will work with optical devices such as spectroscopes, interferometers, and lasers.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Progress toward the goals enumerated above is measured through observation in the classroom and the laboratory, graded homework, tests, lab reports, and the final exam.  All students will also be required to submit a short paper and give a related presentation to the class about a practical application of optics.

 

Other Course Information: None

 

Review and Approval

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
September 2001 Reviewed by Walter S. Jaronski, Chair, Department of Chemistry and Physics

March 01, 2021