Las Positas College
3033 Collier Canyon Road
Livermore, CA 94551-7650
(925) 373-5800
(925) 443-0742 (Fax)
I.
I.
Course Outline for Laser Technology 53
Physical Optics and Applications
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
LASR 53 – PHYSICAL OPTICS AND APPLICATIONS – 3 units
The wave properties of light with an emphasis on the application to modern photonics and
laser technology. Interference theory and application to optical testing and metrology.
Diffraction and its application to holography and optical processing. Gaussian beam
propagation. Polarization, interference of polarized light and applications to laser electooptic devices. Sources of light, blackbody radiation, propagation of light, absorption and
scattering. Light propagation in optical fibers with an introduction optical
telecommunications. An introduction to light as a particle, photons. Prerequisites: Laser
Technology 50 and Laser Technology 51 and Physics 2A (all completed with a grade of
“C” or higher). 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
II.
NUMBER OF TIMES COURSE MAY BE TAKEN FOR CREDIT: One
III.
PREREQUISITE SKILLS:
Before entering the course, the student should be able to:
A.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
Laser Technology 50
define and differentiate between monochromaticity, directionality, and coherence;
list the six steps in the operating procedure of a low-powered, helium-neon laser;
given a blank chart of the electromagnetic spectrum, label the infrared, visible,
and ultraviolet portions, giving the wavelength and frequency of each;
explain the significance of Brewster’s angle and use it to calibrate an angle;
draw and label a sketch of a plane-polarized electromagnetic wave at one instant
of time at different points along a line in the direction of propagation;
calculate the velocity of light and Brewster’s angle for fused quartz and zinc crown
glass;
draw a diagram that displays gain as a function of wavelength for a typical laser
emission line;
draw and label diagrams of seven configurations of laser cavities;
explain the practical significance of longitudinal coherence length;
draw and label a diagram of the irradiance of the TEM00 mode as a function of
distance across the beam;
draw curves of transmission-versus-wavelength for the output coupler and HR
mirror of a HeNe laser;
draw and label diagrams of the following lasers: argon ion; CW CO2; TEA CO2;
ruby; CW pumped AO Q-switched Nd:YAG; Nd: glass oscillator/amplifier
systems; single-diode GaAs; CW dye; nitrogen laser-pumped dye; electricallypulsed chemical; and gas dynamic;
describe the electromagnetic spectrum and identify subspectra by wavelength.
1.
A.
Laser Technology 51
describe and identify the basic types of optical components including:
1.
positive and negative lenses
Course Outline for Laser Technology 53
Page 2
PHYSICAL OPTICS AND APPLICATIONS
B.
C.
D.
E.
2.
mirrors and reflectors
3.
filters
4.
polarizers
5.
wave plates
6.
prisms
7.
microscope objectives
8.
pinholes and slits;
demonstrate correct handling and cleaning procedures for all types of optics and
optical components;
demonstrate knowledge of optical paths through optical trains verbally and using
simple ray tracing techniques;
describe surface interactions of light, including:
1.
reflection
2.
refraction
3.
absorption
4.
transmission
5.
scattering
explain concepts and results of wave phenomenon, including:
1.
interference
2.
polarization
3.
diffraction
4.
phase alteration
Physics 2A (Mathematics 36 or Mathematics 38 prerequisite to Physics 2A)
A.
analyze and solve a variety of problems in topics such as
1.
linear and rotational kinematic
2.
linear and rotational dynamics
3.
gravity
4.
momentum
5.
energy
6.
fluids
7.
thermodynamics
8.
simple harmonic motion
9.
longitudinal and transverse waves
10.
electrostatics
B.
operate standard laboratory equipment
C.
analyze laboratory data
D.
write comprehensive laboratory reports.
IV.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
define simple harmonic motion and general properties of light waves, amplitude,
intensity, frequency, wavelength, wave packets, and phase angle;
explain superposition of two or more waves of the same or different frequencies;
define linear, circular, and elliptical polarization;
explain the fringe patterns formed by interference of two coherent beams, define
visibility of fringes;
explain the common demonstrations of two beam interference using division of
wavefront and division of amplitude;
set up a Michelson interferometer, use Newton’s rings to test an optical surface;
explain the operation of a Fabry-Perot interferometer, define the finesse of a
Fabry-Perot interferometer and explain how it is related to the reflectivity of the
mirrors;
use a Fabry-Perot interferometer to measure the bandwidth of a laser;
Course Outline for Laser Technology 53
Page 3
PHYSICAL OPTICS AND APPLICATIONS
I.
explain how fringes are formed by a diffraction grating and what determines the
resolution of a grating;
J.
use a grating spectrometer and list several applications of gratings in lasers and
photonics;
K.
describe the general appearance of Fresnel diffraction from a circular aperture
and a slit aperture;
L.
use the formulas for gaussian beam propagation to find the size and curvature of
a near diffraction limited laser beam at various distances from the beam waist;
M.
explain the difference between Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction, use the terms
near field and far field;
N.
calculate the size of diffraction patterns for rectangular and circular apertures;
O.
explain how diffraction limits the resolution of optical instruments;
P.
explain the term spatial frequency and describe how a simple optical processing
system works. Calculate the pinhole size that should be used in a spatial filter;
Q.
describe propagation in optical fibers, waveguides and semiconductor lasers as
well as some methods for switching signals between fibers;
R.
explain the major differences between blackbody radiation, molecular and atomic
spectra, and laser radiation;
S.
apply the law of exponential absorption to predict the transmission of optical
materials;
T.
illustrate how a pile of Brewster plates produces linearly polarized light; do the
same for birefringent polarizing prisms;
U.
explain and apply the law of Malus to determine the transmission of linearly
polarized light through several linear polarizers;
V.
using index ellipsoids illustrate the refraction of light in calcite, quartz, and other
uniaxial materials;
W.
explain the operation of quarter-wave and half-wave plates and the Babinet-Soleil
compensator;
X.
use linear polarizers and a quarter wave plate to determine the state of
polarization of an unknown light beam;
Y.
explain the operation of an electro-optic q-switch;
Z.
describe light quanta and explain how they arise from radiation from atoms.
V.
CONTENT:
A.
Wave nature of light
1.
Simple harmonic motion
2.
Transverse waves, polarization
3.
Superposition of waves
4.
Amplitude and intensity
5.
Phase angle
6.
Wave packets, superposition of waves with different frequencies
B.
Interference
1.
Young’s experiment
2.
Two beam interference patterns
3.
Division of amplitude and division of wavefront
4.
Interferometers, optical testing
5.
Multiple beam interference
6.
Fabry-Perot interferometers
C.
Diffraction
1.
Huygen’s principle
2.
Fraunhofer diffraction by a single slit
3.
Fraunhofer diffraction by a circular aperture
4.
Resolving power of optical instruments
5.
Spatial frequency, spatial filter
Course Outline for Laser Technology 53
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PHYSICAL OPTICS AND APPLICATIONS
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
VI.
6.
Diffraction grating
7.
Fresnel diffraction, circular aperture and slit
8.
Basic principles of holography
9.
Sclieren optics
10.
Phase-contrast microscope
Light sources and spectra
1.
Blackbody radiation
2.
Emittance
3.
Line spectra
4.
Band spectra
Absorption and scattering
1.
Law of exponential absorption
2.
Absorption by solids, liquids, and gases
3.
Resonance fluorescence
4.
Scattering by small particles
5.
Raman effect
Polarization
1.
Brewster’s Law
2.
Law of Malus
3.
Double refraction
4.
Polarizing prisms
5.
Reflectance and polarization
6.
Circular and elliptical polarization
7.
Propagation in uniaxial crystals, index ellipsoid, ordinary and
extraordinary ray
8.
Interference of polarized light
9.
Waveplates and compensators
10.
Analysis of polarized light
11.
Electro optic q-switch
12.
Faraday effect and optical isolators
Introduction to quantum optics:
1.
Photoelectric effect
2.
Bohr atom
3.
Energy levels of atoms
4.
Structure of atoms
5.
Metastable states
Laboratory experiments
1.
Demonstrate two-beam interference using Lloyd’s mirror
2.
Measure the coherence length of a He-Ne laser using a Michelson
interferometer
3.
Build a spatial filter, demonstrate the attenuation of high spatial
frequencies
4.
Use Schlieren optics to measure the homogeneity of a piece of glass
5.
Demonstrate a Fabry-Perot interferometer
6.
Build a simple fiber-optic communication link
7.
Make a hologram
8.
Analyze polarization using two polarizers and a waveplate
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
A.
Lecture and discussion
B.
Demonstrations; video and overhead presentations
C.
Laboratory exercises and performance; safety and proper respect for scientific
apparatus are constantly stressed
D.
Group problem solving, collecting and evaluating data
Course Outline for Laser Technology 53
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PHYSICAL OPTICS AND APPLICATIONS
VII.
TYPICAL ASSIGNMENTS: Homework assignments include text readings, literature
search, calculations, and scientific observations.
A.
B.
C.
Reading:
1.
Read “Interference involving multiple reflections,” Chapter 14,
Fundamentals of Optics, and be prepared to explain the operation of a
Fabry-Perot interferometer.
2.
Read “Interference of Polarized Light,” Chapter 27, Fundamentals of
Optics, and be able to explain how to use linear polarizers and a quarterwave plate to analyze the polarization of an unknown light beam.
Mathematics:
1.
Calculate the locations of maxima of the light from a diffraction grating
given the wavelength, order, incident angle and grating constant.
2.
A quarter-wave plate is to be made of quartz and used in blue light at 434
nm. Calculate the required thickness.
Laboratory:
1.
Construct a Fabry-Perot interferometer. Measure the width of the fringes
and use that to calculate the finesse of the interferometer
2.
Construct a spatial filter. By using various resolution targets and pinhole
sizes, demonstrate the low-pass filtering properties.
VIII.
EVALUATION: the quizzes, modular examinations and the portion of the final
examination covering theory are essay examinations related to the principles covered in
the course content and requiring critical thinking skills.
A.
Methods
1.
Homework and quizzes
2.
Modular exams
3.
Laboratory performance
4.
Final examination
B.
Frequency
1.
Weekly assignments
2.
Quizzes (3) spaced at appropriate intervals throughout the semester
3.
One final examination
C.
Typical Examination Questions
1. Two slits of a double slit each have a width of 0.140 mm and a distance
between centers of 0.840 mm. What orders are missing in the
Fraunhofer diffraction pattern?
2. The plates of a Fabry-Perot interferometer have reflectivities of 0.98. What is
the finesse of the interferometer. What would be the minimum plate
spacing needed to resolve a laser line with a linewidth of 10 GHz?
3. Explain the operation of an electro-optical q-switch using a KDP crystal.
IX.
TYPICAL TEXTS:
Jenkins, Francis A. and Harvey E. White. Fundamentals of Optics, 4th ed. McGraw-Hill
(1976).
X.
OTHER SUPPLIES REQUIRED OF STUDENT
1.
Scientific calculator
2.
Laboratory research notebook
Creation Date: 9/2001
Revision Date: