Course Description: A mathematical treatment of the modern theory of optics. Topics include Huygen's principle as applied to geometric optics, interference, diffraction, polarization, electromagnetic theory of light, the interaction of light with matter, and quantum optics.

Instructor: Dr. Daniel Suson

Textbook: Fundamentals of Optics, Fourth Ed., by Jenkins & White

Chapters to be covered: Ch 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27

Method of Evaluation: Grades will be determined by the use of daily homework assignments and in-class exams.

Grading breakdown

All 1 hour exams will be closed book, closed notes.

Course Objectives: The primary objective of this course is to gain a detailed understanding of the techniques and descriptions used in modern optical theory. A secondary objective is to test and evaluate the use of Internet connectivity as a primary method of teaching remote classes.

General Notes: All of the lecture notes, as well as this syllabus are posted on my home page. These documents are available in three different formats: Word for Windows, HTML, and Postscript. Follow the links on my home page to reach the version that you are interested in. These documents can be downloaded and printed out, although I would prefer that they not be widely distributed at this point in time.

Homework assignments and solutions will be posted on my home page as well. The fax number is connected to the fax/modem in my office, so as long as I am in the office, I will see the fax fairly quickly. You can also reach me via e-mail and CU See Me videoconferencing technology over the Internet.

Graduate Requirements: Since this course is also available for graduate credit, graduate students enrolled in the class will be expected to carry out additional work. Currently, this additional work consists of two tasks. Graduate students will be required to carry out some sort of computational study involving optics, and they will be expected to complete assigned homework from additional chapters in the textbook. The specifics of the computational study, as well as the additional chapters, will be determined via individualized conferences with me during the first week of class.

Material Covered:

Mathematics of wave motion. one-dimensional waves, harmonic waves, phase and phase velocity, complex representation, three dimensional waves, plane waves, cylindrical waves, spherical waves

Electromagnetic theory and light. basic laws of electromagnetism, electromagnetic waves, energy and momentum, radiation, light and matter

Propagation of light. laws of reflection and refraction, electromagnetic approach, stokes treatment of reflection and refraction, photons and the laws of reflection and refraction.

Geometrical Optics. lenses, mirrors, fiber optics, optical systems, thick lenses, ray tracing, aberrations

Superposition of waves. Adding waves of the same frequency algebraically, adding wave of the same frequency using complex notation, standing waves, beats, group velocity, Fourier analysis, Fourier integrals, pulses, wave packets

Polarization. Dichroism, Birefringence, scattering, polarization by reflection.

Interference. Conditions for interference, multiple beam interference

Diffraction. Fraunhofer diffraction, Fresnel diffraction, Kirchhoff's scalar diffraction theory.

All material is covered at a level consistent with other four year universities. A knowledge of calculus and differential equations is assumed. An understanding of electricity and magnetism is also assumed.