Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Wave Optics
Module Code	PS307
School	School of Physical Sciences
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Enda McGlynn Semester 2: Enda McGlynn Autumn: Enda McGlynn
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This course is designed to:(i) To provide an appreciation of the fundamental concepts of wave optics.(ii) To illustrate the relevance of these concepts in modern applications of optics(iii) To develop numerical problem solving skills in wave opticsThe course is predominantly knowledge-based. The main learning activities are attending lectures and tutorials and the related learning activity of solving numerical and other problems related to the topics covered. Students are expected to attend lectures and tutorials and to prepare for both by appropriate study (including the use of on-line moodle resources provided and textbooks) and thus be able to engage fully in discussions and other interactions in lectures and tutorials. Students are further expected to prepare for in-class tests and end of module examinations via study and, as needed, discussion with the lecturer.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the essential physical aspects of the phenomena of wave polarization, interference, diffraction and lasers and optical cavities both qualitatively and mathematically, including the generation and manipulation of particular polarizations, interference by division of wavefront and amplitude, diffraction from various simple aperture configurations and lasing conditions
2. Discuss, both qualitatively and mathematically, optical information storage, image formation, and holography, and their linkages to other basic concepts in optics
3. Describe, both qualitatively and mathematically, examples of applications of interference, spatial filtering, lasers and optical cavities and practical holographic systems

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	24	Lecture
Tutorial	6	Tutorial
Independent learning	95	Study for lectures, tutorials, in-class tests and final exam
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative syllabus.
(i) Polarisation: Definition of states of Polarisation; Birefringence; Dichroism; Polarisers and Retarders; Polarisation by Reflection and Scattering; Induced Birefringence (Kerr Cell)..

Indicative syllabus.
(ii) Interference: Superposition and Two-beam Interference; Concept of Coherence; Interferometers (amplitude and wavefront-splitting); Michelson Interferometer and Applications; Multiple-beam Interference and Fabry-Perot Interferometer; AR-coatings, Interference Filters..

Indicative syllabus.
(iiii) Diffraction: Fraunhofer Diffraction (single, double, multiple slit); Circular Aperture and Spatial Resolving Power; Diffraction Gratings; Basic Fresnel Diffraction (Straight Edge, Slit & Zone Plate)..

Indicative syllabus.
(iv) Lasers and Optical Cavities: Absorption and Emission, Einstein Coefficients, Beer-Lambert Law, Inversion, Gain, Longitudinal Cavity Modes, Laser Action, Transverse Modes.

Indicative syllabus.
(v) Fourier Optics: Spatial Frequency, Periodic and Non-Periodic Spatial Waves (Fourier series and Fourier transforms in optics), Point Spread and Modulation Transfer Functions (Principles & Applications), Convolution and De-Convolution, Spatial Filtering and Phase Contrast Techniques..

Indicative syllabus.
(vi) Holography: Basic Idea, Gabor's Original Method, On & Off Axis Holograms, Reconstructing a Hologram, Information Storage in Holograms, Applications..

Learning activities.
Students are expected to attend lectures and tutorials and to prepare for both by appropriate study (including the use of on-line moodle resources provided and textbooks) and thus be able to engage fully in discussions and other interactions in lectures and tutorials. Students are further expected to prepare for in-class tests and end of module examinations via study and, as needed, discussion with the lecturer..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	20%	Examination Weight	80%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Non-DCU exam	CA in-class test ~ week 7 of semester – covering primarily problem-based testing of the mathematical/quantitative aspects of outcome 1 above	20%	Week 7

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 3

Indicative Reading List

Hecht: 1998, Optics, 2 or more recent, All covered in syllabus, Addison Wesley,
Fowles: 1989, Introduction to Modern Optics, Reprint, All covered in syllabus, Dover Publications,

Other Resources

1369, Moodle, Enda McGlynn, 0, PS307 lecture notes on moodle,

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSc in Applied Physics

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

ECSA

Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

ECSAO