Electromagnetic Waves & Optics (EWO | SPA5222)

Year: 2 | Semester: B | Level: 5 | Credits: 15

Course organiser: Dr Kevin Donovan | Course deputy: Dr Richard Donnison

Aims:

The course is aimed at giving a coverage of electromagnetic wave theory and of optics. It will act as a bridge between a first year course of introductory electromagnetism and a course on vibrations and waves to give an understanding of optics in terms of electromagnetic waves.

Outcomes:

Having studied this course the student will have been exposed to, and have an understanding of; a) Maxwells equations, the electromagnetic wave equation, the Poynting vector and the relation between electric/magnetic fields and light intensity. b) The use of the EM wave equation in understanding reflection and transmission at a dielectric interface, The Fresnel equations, and simple waveguides. c) Polarisation, plane and circularly polarised light, dichroism and birefringence. d) Interference effects, e) Diffraction, Fresnel diffraction and Fraunhoffer diffraction, the action and uses of diffraction gratings. f) Lenses and compound lenses and their use in optical instruments eg. the telescope, the microscope and the spectrometer with reference to concepts such as resolving power. g) Concepts of optical gain and absorption in an atomic two level system.

Recommended books:

Optics, Eugene Hecht, 4th edition, Addison Wesley