Optics
Course content
The course treats the basics of ray and wave optics as tools to
understand and describe both optical phenomena in nature as well as
optical instruments in modern technology.
The course gives a good basis for more advanced optics courses on
the MSc level (kandidatuddannelsen), such as quantum optics, and
quantum photonics.
BSc Programme in Physics
Skills
After completion of this course the participant should be able to:
- construct wave solutions to Maxwell's equations in homogeneous isotropic media
- discuss the refractive index and dispersion for insulators and metals
- discuss Rayleigh scattering and related optical phenomena in nature
- apply Fresnel's relations for refraction and reflection at interfaces
- understand geometrical optics as an approximation to wave optics
- use ray tracing methods to characterize optical components and systems
- understand and explain optical instruments such as telescopes, microscopes, etc.
- analyze and prepare the polarization state of light using optical components
- discuss the propagation of light in birefringent media
- explain interference phenomena and discuss interferometers as optical instruments
- apply the Huygens-Fresnel principle to various diffraction phenomena
- discuss Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction in simple geometries
- set up and perform simple experiments illustrating concepts in optics
Knowledge
- description of light as classical electromagnetic waves
- optical properties of materials
- the geometrical optics limit
- basic optical components and instruments
- polarization states of light
- interference of light
- diffraction of light
- applications of optics in science and technology
- optical phenomena in nature and their explanation
Competences
This course gives the student a solid basis for further more
advanced or specialized optics courses.
Lectures/Tutorials, exercises, laboratory exercises.
See Absalon for final course material. The following is an example of expected course literature:
Eugene Hecht, ”Optics”, 5th (global) edition (Pearson 2017).
Supplementary lecture notes.
The first year of physics education including electromagnetism. Knowledge of vector calculus.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Oral examination, 30 min
- Type of assessment details
- oral exam
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
- Re-exam
-
same as regular exam
Criteria for exam assessment
See learning outcome
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 28
- Preparation
- 131,5
- Theory exercises
- 28
- Laboratory
- 18
- Exam
- 0,5
- English
- 206,0
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- NFYA05060U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Bachelor
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedulegroup
-
A
- Capacity
- No restriction
The number of seats may be reduced in the late registration period - Studyboard
- Study Board of Physics, Chemistry and Nanoscience
Contracting department
- The Niels Bohr Institute
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Jan Westenkær Thomsen (3-727f7c48766a7136737d366c73)
Se skema
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Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende