OPTICS
Classical and modern optics, including imaging, polarization optics, optical telescopes, optical microscopes, interference and interferometers, optical fibers and fiber-optic communication, optical resonators, lasers, optical modulators, introduction to quantum and nonlinear optics. Concepts covered in lecture reinforced by weekly laboratory experiments.
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: ( PHYSICS 202 , 208 , or 248 ) and ( PHYSICS 322 or concurrent enrollment), or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Physical Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Be able design and analyze an imaging instrument involving two or more optical elements including mirrors and lenses. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Be able to quantitatively analyze images obtained from an optical microscope using physics calculation software. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Be able to design, construct, and evaluate an optical telescope. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Be able to use the principles of Fourier optics and interference to design and analyze interferometric instruments, including a Michelson interferometer and a grating spectrometer, and use these instruments to characterize light sources Audience: Undergraduate 5. Be able to apply the fundamental properties of electromagnetic waves to determine the behavior of fiber optic combinations Audience: Undergraduate 6. Be able to calculate parameters of a functioning laser, and design, align, and operate a diode pumped solid-state laser. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Be able to apply the principles of refraction modulation to calculate the behavior of acousto-optic and electro-optic modulators. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Be able design and analyze an imaging instrument involving two or more optical elements including mirrors and lenses. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Be able to quantitatively analyze images obtained from an optical microscope using physics calculation software. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Be able to design, construct, and evaluate an optical telescope. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Be able to use the principles of Fourier optics and interference to design and analyze interferometric instruments, including a Michelson interferometer and a grating spectrometer, and use these instruments to characterize light sources Audience: Undergraduate 5. Be able to apply the fundamental properties of electromagnetic waves to determine the behavior of fiber optic combinations Audience: Undergraduate 6. Be able to calculate parameters of a functioning laser, and design, align, and operate a diode pumped solid-state laser. Audience: Undergraduate 7. Be able to apply the principles of refraction modulation to calculate the behavior of acousto-optic and electro-optic modulators. Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027