Plane waves and light propagation. Reflection and refraction. Geometrical optics. Thin lenses and mirrors. Interference. Diffraction. Polarization. Introduction to birefringence. Human vision.cElectromagnetic spectrum.
Laboratory experiments: Test of the lens formula and measurement of the focal length of a lens; analysis of the polarization of light; diffraction from a slit and from a grating; measurement of the wavelength of light and of the coherence length with a Michelson interferometer.
E. Hecht, Optics, Addison Wesley
G. Giusfredi, Manuale di Ottica, Springer
Learning Objectives
Knowledge acquired:
Fundamental properties and phenomena in the propagation of electromagnetic waves: intensity and polarization, refraction and reflection, diffraction, diffusion. The electromagnetic spectrum. Human vision.
Competence acquired:
Theory of the fundamental laws and phenomena in optics. Use of basic optical instrumentation: lenses and mirrors, diffraction gratings, interferometers. Design and analysis of experiments on the propagation of light.
Skills acquired (at the end of the
course):
Use of basic optical instrumentation, lasers and detectors. Design and reporting of laboratory experiments.
Prerequisites
Courses required: Physics laboratory I
Teaching Methods
CFU: 6
Total hours of the course (including
the time spent in attending lectures,
seminars, private study, examinations,
etc...): 150
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 36
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/
practice (hours): 16
Intermediate examinations: none
Further information
Office hours: Wednesday, 14-16
Type of Assessment
Laboratory reports, final written examination and optional oral examination
Course program
Plane waves and light propagation. Reflection and refraction. Geometrical optics. Thin lenses and mirrors. Interference. Diffraction. Polarization. Introduction to birefringence. Human vision. Electromagnetic spectrum.
Laboratory experiments: Test of the lens formula and measurement of the focal length of a lens; analysis of the polarization of light; diffraction from a slit and from a grating; measurement of the wavelength of light and of the coherence length with a Michelson interferometer.