Department of Physics and Astronomy
PHY 308 Introduction to Optics
Spring 1996
I. The Course
Instructor: Kwok-Wai Ng
Office CP 385
Telephone 7-1782
e-mail: kwng@ukcc.uky.edu
Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 2:00-2:50 p.m.
Text book: Introduction to Optics, 2nd edition
F. L. Pedrotti and L. S. Pedrotti
Published by Prentice Hall in 1993
II. Goal
Wave motion has been an important phenomenon in Physics.
In PHY 231 and PHY 232 we learnt about sound waves and
electromagnetic waves. We have also used the mathematical
formulation for wave motion to describe simple harmonic motion, and
to analyze ac circuits. Wave mechanics forms the foundation of
quantum physics, and many new phenomena cannot be explained without
the notion of waves. In this course we will provide the first
comprehensive account on this important concept. However, we will
limit ourselves on only one type of waves, that is visible light as
an electromagnetic wave. We will learn about the mathematical
descriptions of waves, the wave equation, the use of complex
numbers, and the Fourier transformation. We will study different
properties of wave motion, with optical phenomena as examples.
The course will begin with geometric optics, in which
the wave characteristic of visible light is not obvious because the
wavelength is assumed to be very small in comparison with the
dimension of the system. We will then go through the mathematics
of waves and then discuss different interesting phenomena due to
the wave characteristic of light (physical optics).
III. Grading Policy
There will be about one homework set of six to seven
problems every week. The homework is due on the dates indicated.
Late homework will not be accepted. It should be noted that the
answers to most problems can be found at the back of the text. The
solutions handed in, however, should be complete and comprehensive.
They should also be neat and legible, with the solutions presented
in an ordered and logical fashion. Solutions not satisfying these
criteria will suffer a severe reduction in grade. The homework
will count for 30% of your total grade. Each homework problem will
be weighted equally.
There will be two hourly tests, listed in the class
schedule below. Each test will contribute 20% towards your total
grade. This component will therefore constitute 40% of the final
grade. The tests will include all materials prior to the test
date, but after the previous test.
There will be a two hour final examination that will be
comprehensive, covering all materials studied in this course this
semester. This final examination will constitute 30% of your final
grade. The examination will take place on Friday, May 3, from 1:00
to 3:00 pm in CP 183.
In general, all tests and the final examination will be
closed book. You will need to bring your own scientific
calculator, and your own writing tools. You are not allowed to use
any programs stored in the memory of the calculator.
Homework 30%
Test I 20%
Test II 20%
Final Examination 30%
Total 100%
IV. Class schedule
Date Topics for discussion
Jan 10 Geometric Optics 3.1
Jan 12 Geometric Optics 3.2-3.3
Jan 15 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Holiday.
Jan 17 Geometric optics 3.4-3.5
Jan 19 Geometric optics 3.6-3.7
Jan 22 Geometric optics 3.8
Jan 24 Geometric optics 3.9-3.11
Jan 26 Optical Instrumentation 6.2-6.3
Jan 29 Optical Instrumentation 6.4-6.5
Jan 31 Optical Instrumentation 6.6, 7.4
Feb 2 Wave Mathematics 8.1-8.2
Feb 5 TEST I
Feb 7 Wave Mathematics 8.3-8.4
Feb 9 Wave Mathematics 8.5-8.7
Feb 12 Wave Mathematics 9.1-9.3
Feb 14 Wave Mathematics 9.4-9.5
Feb 16 Wave Mathematics 12.1
Feb 19 Wave Mathematics 12.2
Feb 21 Wave Mathematics 12.3
Feb 23 Interference 10.1
Feb 26 Interference 10.2-10.3
Feb 28 Interference 10.4-10.6
Mar 1 Interference 11.1-11.2
Mar 4 TEST II
Mar 6 Polarization 14.1
Mar 8 Polarization 14.2
Mar 11 Spring break
Mar 13 Spring break
Mar 15 Spring break
Mar 18 Polarization 15.1-15.3
Mar 20 Polarization 15.4-15.7
Mar 22 Diffraction 16.1-16.2
Mar 25 Diffraction 16.3
Mar 27 Diffraction 16.4
Mar 29 Diffraction 16.5-16.6
Apr 1 Diffraction 17,1-17.4
Apr 3 Diffraction 18.1-18.3
Apr 5 Diffraction 18.4-18.6
Apr 8 Diffraction 18.7-18.10
Apr 10 Fresnel equations 20.1
Apr 12 Fresnel equations 20.2-20.3
Apr 15 Fresnel equations 20.4
Apr 17 Fresnel equations 20.6-20.7
Apr 19 Optical properties 27.1
Apr 22 Optical properties 27.2
Apr 24 Optical properties 27.3
Apr 26 Optical properties 27.4-27.5
May 3 1:00-3:00 p.m., CP 183; Final Examination