Foundations of Modern Optics

Type

Elective

Course Code

ΜΕMΥ-901

Teaching Semester

Semester A

ECTS Credits

7

Syllabus

Foundations of Modern Optics provides an overview of the field of Optics with a focus on imaging and Geometrical Optics.


  • Introduction
  • Basic principles
    • Electromagnetic waves
    • Detection and Sources of Radiation
    • Polarization
    • Interference
  • Imaging
    • Geometrical optics
    • Simple optical systems
    • The matrix method
    • Image illumination
    • Optical Aberrations
    • Eikonal Equation
  • Wave Propagation
    • Diffraction
    • Gaussian Beams

Learning Outcomes

  • To get acquainted with the basic principles of Wave and Optics.
  •  To know the basic principles of Electromagnetism as well as their application in Optics and in the Geometric Optics approximation
  • To know the description of the polarization the transverse waves
  • To become familiar with the phenomenon of optical anisotropy.
  • To know the basic principles that govern the wave propagation as well as the phenomena of interference and diffraction.
  • To know the basic operation principles of optical systems.
  • To solve problems related to light propagation through complex optical systems.
  • To solve problems related to  light propagation through polarized optical systems

Recommended Bibliography

  • Optics, Eugene Hecht (any edition from 2nd and up)
  • Introduction to Optics,by Frank L. Pedrotti
  • Introduction to Modern Optics, by Grant R. Fowles (Dover Books on Physics) 2nd ed. Edition,

Student Performance Evaluation

The final grade will be a result of the following:

40%  Weekly assignments (homework)

30%  Tests  (sort 10 min exams in a weekly basis)

30%   Final Written Exam

Weekly assignments  (40%): Starting from ~week 3 a small set of exercises (will attached examples) are assigned per student in a weekly basis. Assignment will take place though the e-class platform.

Tests  (30%): Starting from week 4 and during the lecture (i.e. from 16:05-16:15), each student will answer a short exercise on the subject area that an assignment was delivered at the previous week.

Final written exam (30%): written exam (2 hour ) in the end of the semester