Download PHYS-321 “Optics” FALL 2016 CRN: 81373

PHYS-321 “Optics”
FALL 2016 CRN: 81373
Instructor: Dr. Alan Bristow
Office: White Hall 439
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (304) 293-5193
Class hours: MWF 11:30am -12:20 pm
Class location: White Hall G4
Office hours: By appointments
Course description: Classical optics encompasses the behavior of light as it propagates and
interacts with matter. This subject has ancient roots, but is extremely relevant to modern science
and technology. This course explores the foundations of geometric and physical optics. A full list
of topics is shown on page 3.
Course objectives: Upon completion of this course, students will have developed understanding
of fundamental phenomena in classical optics and the mathematical skills needed to solve
problems in geometrical and physical optics.
Pre-requisites: PHYS111, PHYS112 and MATH261. Also, PHYS211 is useful.
Textbooks:
Required: Optics (4e), Eugene Hecht, Addison-Wesley (Pearson) 2001
[ISBN-10: 0805385665, ISBN-13: 978-0805385663]
Reference: facebook group WVU-PHYS321-01-Optics
[ https://www.facebook.com/groups/635315129825982/ ]
Homework: Short problem sets will be assigned reguarly to reinforce material discussed in the
class. To receive full credit assignments must be turned in on the due dates. Please be neat, show
approach to your solutions and follow all instructions. Homework problems that are not in the
required text will be provided as handouts during class or via e-mail.
Grading, examinations and dates:
Assignment
Discussion
Homework
MidTerm 1
MidTerm 2
MidTerm 3
Final Exam
Distribution of final grade
6%
25%
13%
13%
13%
30%
Date
In Class
Regularly
9/19 (in-class)
10/14 (in-class)
11/9 (in-class)
12/13, 11 am-1 pm
All schedules are subject to revision; the changes may be verbally announced in class. Students
are responsible for obtaining all information given in class, even if the student is absent.
Midterm exams will test material relevant to that section of course being taught at the time. The
final exam will cover the entire course.
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PHYS-321 “Optics”
FALL 2016 CRN: 81373
Academic misconduct: Appropriate disciplinary action, potentially including failing the student,
will be taken in the event of plagiarism, dishonesty, or other academic misconduct. Calculators
will be permitted in all tests and exams. For exams, cheating is unethical and is unacceptable.
Signed honor statements will be required for any take home test/exams choose to give by the
instructor.
Grading policy: Examinations, tests and homework will be graded on the conveyed
understanding of the materials under test. Students will receive number grades for each problem:
“0” for not attempted, “1” for unsatisfactory, “2” for satisfactory, and “3” for exemplary. Final
letter grades will be determined from the total points acquired for each problem using the
weighting presented in the table above.
Attendance policy: Attendance is mandatory. Please inform the instructor in advance if you will
miss class. Consistent with WVU guidelines, students absent from regularly scheduled
examinations because of authorized University activities will have the opportunity to take them
at an alternate time. Make-up exams for absences due to any other reason will be at the discretion
of the instructor and are not guaranteed.
Add/drop policy: Students must properly withdraw from a course. Simply not attending a class
does not constitute a formal withdrawal. Details for adding and dropping a class can be found at
http://online.wvu.edu/Registration/dropAdd.php.
Statement of non-discrimination: West Virginia University is committed to social justice. As
the instructor of the course, I expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon
communication and mutual respect. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and
open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration. The
university does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual
orientation, color, or national origin.
If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order
to participate in this class. Please advise me and make appropriate arrangement with Disability
Services (293-6700).
The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus as deemed necessary any time during the
semester. Emendations to the syllabus will be discussed with students during a class period.
Students are responsible for information given in class.
There may be also details about PHYS 321 uncovered in this syllabus. Do not assume something
just because it is not specified in the syllabus. If you are unsure about anything related to the
rules guiding this course, consult with the instructor ahead of time.
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PHYS-321 “Optics”
FALL 2016 CRN: 81373
Physics 321 Topics:
5. Polarization
Natural (random) polarized light
Linear, circular and elliptical polarization
Polarizers
Dichroism
Birefringence
1. Electromagnetic Wave Theory
The electromagnetic spectrum
Harmonic electromagnetic waves
Phase velocity and plane waves
Basic laws of electromagnetism
Energy and momentum
6. Interference
Conditions for interference
Wavefront-splitting interferometers
Amplitude-splitting interferometers
Applications of interferometry
2. Propagation of Light
Rayleigh scattering
Reflection
Refraction
Fermat’s principle
Fresnel (EM) approach
Dispersion
7. Diffraction
Fraunhofer diffraction
Introduction to Fresnel diffraction
Kirchhof’s scalar diffraction theory
3. Geometrical Optics
Lenses
Apertures
Mirrors
Prisms
Optical systems and thick lenses
Aberration
8. Advanced Topics
(Time permitting)
Fourier Optics
Lasers
4. Superposition of Waves
Addition of waves of the same frequency
Addition of waves of different frequency
Anharmonic periodic waves
Non-periodic waves
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