PHYSICAL OPTICS (PHY 325.001)-Fall Semester, 2005

Text:

None; all class and laboratory material will be provided by the instructor.

Lecture Meets at:

MWF 8:00-8:50, Willet Science Center (WSC) Room 106

Laboratory meeting time TBD--likely TR 9:25 - 10:40

Prerequisites:

PHY 162 and MAT 192.

Instructor:

Dr. Randall D. Peters

Office:

WSC Room 115, Phone: 301-2747

Office hours:

MWF 9-10, R 2-3

e-mail:

peters_rd@mercer.edu

personal homepage:

http://physics.mercer.edu/hpage/peters.html

physics department homepage:

http://physics.mercer.edu

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This course is concerned with optics that depends on the electromagnetic nature of light.

                     Expectations
Incoming-Students should already have mastered:
(i) basic skills in communicating the concepts of physics, both written and verbal,
(ii) certain tools of mathematics, such as elementary differential and integral calculus necessary for the treatment of electromagnetic phenomena,
Outgoing-By the end of this course, the student should be able to:
(i) describe wave phenomena and interference, both by trigonometric and complex phasor methods,
(ii) distinguish among properties of light that depend on polarization state,
(iii) understand features of coherence that yield marked differences between conventional and laser sources,
(iv) utilize some common and powerful mathematical transform techniques (such as the Fast Fourier Transform) to develop conceptual understanding of diffraction and applied techniques of ``optical computing'',

Wave Equations
Superposition of waves
Interference of Light
Optical Interferometry
Coherence
Holography
Matrix treatment of Polarization
Production of Polarized Light
Fraunhofer Diffraction
Diffraction Grating
Laser Basics
Laser Applications
Fiber Optics
Fourier Optics
Nonlinear Optics

Final Exam: Sat., 10 December, 9 - 12.

Grading Scale: 60-D-70-C-80-B-90-A-100
(based on: Lab-1/4, Homework-1/4, Midterm-1/4, and Final-1/4)
 

Policies

• I don't have a formal attendance policy-be forewarned, however, that students with more than an occasional absence usually do poorly.
• Quizzes and exams may be made-up if the student has an official excuse. There is no extra-credit work.
• The College of Liberal Arts academic misconduct policy will be followed.
• Any student who receives failing grades during the course is urged to meet with the instructor to consider corrective measures.
• If you have a problem of any kind, my door is open to you. (If your schedule should be in conflict with my office hours, then attempt to arrange an appointment either: (i) during class, or (ii) by a chance meeting using the information posted on my door.)
• All requests for reasonable accommodation from students with disabilities will be welcomed.  Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting or as soon as possible. If you are not registered with Disability Services,the instructor will refer you to the Student Support Services office for consultation regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for accommodations under the ADA/504. In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form from Disability Services. Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services office on the 3rd floor of the Connell Student Center. Students with a documented disability who do not wish to use accommodations are strongly encouraged to register with Disability Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester. For further information please contact Disability Services at 301-2778 or visit the website at http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm.