The physics and mathematics of wave motion underlie many important phenomena. The water wave on the sea, the vibration of a violin string, and the quantum mechanical wave associated with an electron can all be described in a similar way. Light too, often displays properties that are wave-like. We will start the course looking at "ray" optics, but then pause for a general treatment of waves of all types. We will start this waves section by reviewing ideas of oscillations and simple harmonic motion, and go on to look at the physics of travelling and standing waves. We will apply these ideas to various types of wave, and see how all-pervading this topic is in physics. We will then be in a position to consider a number of phenomena in which the wave properties of light are important.
Optics is the study of light and its uses. "Light" is electromagnetic radiation which can be detected by our eyes, ie electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the range ~400 nm - 700 nm (though often very similar ideas apply beyond both ends of this wavelength range). In this lecture course we will look at basic ideas of light propagation, geometrical optics (imaging, etc), interference and diffraction of light, and some of the many uses to which light is put. Far from being just an "old" subject, optics is becoming increasingly important as more and more use is being made of lasers and optoelectronics in industry and society. We will look at various examples including laser-based remote sensing, optical communications, laser-based length measurement, and optical data storage (the CD). The last topic is the one which has brought lasers, precision optics, and optoelectronics into many households; we will be using this example throughout the course to illustrate the various optical phenomena that we shall be attempting to explain.
- Teacher: Nelcie Mabini