Modern Optics - PHY00054H

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Additional information

Students wishing to take Modern Optics should have taken Electromagnetism & Optics or the appropriate equivalent.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This course will introduce the modern optics beginning with a description electromagnetic radiation and the use of Fourier techniques to describe optical systems. A central theme is a description of phase and coherence that enables a discussion of applications of modern optics including interference, diffraction and polarisation, by introducing interferometers, interference in multilayer films, diffracting gratings, holography, and confocal microscope.

Module learning outcomes

• Qualitatively describe the Hungens-Fresnel principle and Kirchhoff diffraction theory
• Qualitatively describe the diffraction pattern using Fourier techniques
• Understand the principle of interferometers; be able to determine interference - fringes.
• Understand the principle of antireflection coating; be able to design and analyse multi-layer antireflection systems.
• Understand the principal of a cavity and be able to describe the operation of a Fabry-Perot interferometer
• Understand the Gabor’s analytical method of holography; determine configurations of formation and reconstruction of a hologram
• Understand principle of diffraction grating; determine diffraction patterns, resolving - power, and spectrums by diffraction gratings.

Module content

Syllabus

• Kirchhoff Diffraction theory (7 lectures)
  1. Hungens-Fresnel principle
  2. Kirchhoff diffraction theory
  3. Diffraction - Fresnel and Fraunhofer approximations
  4. Fraunhofer diffraction from various apertures
  5. Fresnel diffraction from various apertures
  6. Fresnel zone plates

• Interferometry (6 lectures)
  1. Mirrored interferometers
  2. Multi-beam interference
  3. Antireflection coating
  4. high-reflection coating
  5. Radar Interferometry
  6. The Fabry-Perot interferometer

• Holography (2 lectures)
  1. Gabor’s analytical method: recording amplitude and phase
  2. Reconstruction of the original wave front
  3. Image formation by holography

• Diffraction gratings: (2 lectures)
  1. N-slit diffraction
  2. Grating spectrometers

• Confocal and phase contrast microscopes: (1 lectures)

1. Basic concept
2. Variants and resolution

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	40
Essay/coursework	60

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	40
Essay/coursework	60

Module feedback

Our policy on how you receive feedback for formative and summative purposes is contained in our Department Handbook.

Indicative reading

Born, Max and Emil Wolf, Principles of Optics

Haken H and Wolf H C: The Physics of Atoms and Quanta (Springer).

Hawkes J and Latimer I: Lasers: Theory and Practice (Prentice-Hall).

Hecht, Eugene, Optics

Smith, F Graham, Terry A King and Dan Wilkins Optics and Photonics: An Introduction

Pedrotti, Pedritti, -Introduction to Optics