68206 Optics
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): (68201 Physics 2 OR 68037 Physical Modelling) AND (33290c Statistics and Mathematics for Science OR 33230 Mathematics 2)
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 68315 Imaging Science
Recommended studies:
Mathematics: knowledge of calculus and of complex numbers; Physics: knowledge of basic ray optics and of electric and magnetic fields.
Description
This subject builds upon the study of waves, optics and electromagnetics undertaken in an introductory physics subject. It assumes knowledge of calculus and of complex numbers. The subject considers how scientists and engineers use light to observe the world from the molecular scale upwards. It introduces the electromagnetic wave description of light as well as the descriptions based on rays and photons. Different light sources and detectors are considered. The design of optical imaging systems and their resolution limits are analysed. Common applications such as optics in microscopy and optical fibre technology are discussed. The subject includes a significant experimental component in an authentic dedicated optics laboratory, which emphasises the importance of careful analysis and clear presentation of observations. The use of industry-standard computation packages is introduced for optical modelling and data visualisation.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Explain how fundamental physical concepts apply to optical systems |
|---|---|
| 2. | Design, use and analyse a variety of optical tools |
| 3. | Communicate scientific findings in a variety of formats |
| 4. | Investigate and evaluate innovative optical technologies |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate coherent understanding of physics and related knowledge applied to diverse contexts. (1.1)
- Evaluate the reliability of scientific evidence and apply effective experimental design, analysis and critical thinking to predict the behaviour of real-world systems using physical models (2.1)
- Engage autonomously or in teams to derive and analyse data from instrumentation and physical models to make ethical contributions to society. (3.1)
- Evaluate and design solutions to complex physical problems through creative problem-solving, using analytical, computational, and experimental approaches. (4.1)
- Apply effective and appropriate communication methods for discussing physics concepts, data and analysis with diverse audiences. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
(Further details are provided in the Assessment section of this document.)
1. Disciplinary knowledge – will be taught in lectures and practiced in the laboratory, tutorials and computer practicals.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking – guided problem solving will be embedded in tutorials and practical activities in this subject while the computer modelling reports are in the form of a guided inquiry activity, where students are responsible for finding and researching their own research question and communicating their findings.
3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility – Teamwork is emphasised in lab work and student presentations while computing skills, lab skills and data handling are practiced in the collaborative learning situations.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity – will be particularly emphasised in the practical activities where students are required to apply their science knowledge to develop an understanding of unfamiliar optics scenarios.
5. Communication skills – will be integral to success in this subject. Teamwork will encourage informal communication of scientific ideas between peers, lab reports will require the development of written scientific communication skills.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject involves lectures (online), tutorials (hybrid) and practical sessions in the experimental and computer labs (on campus). The lecture materials will be assessed in the form of a knowledge quiz-style tests, one taken in the middle of the semester and the other one at the end. The examples of questions and instructions on how to prepare for tests will be published well in advance on Canvas site.
The weakly lectures (2hpw) will introduce students to key theoretical knowledge needed to actively participate in tutorial discussions and practicals. Tutorials (2h) will take place fortnightly and will provide an active learning opportunity for students to ask questions and clarify scientific concepts. Tutorial problems will involve both analytical calculations and computer modelling of optical theory.
Six practical laboratory sessions will run in the specialised optics laboratory. You will work in small groups on experiments which will develop skills in correctly using optical equipment, effectively managing an experiment, accurately maintaining a record of the experiment and correctly analysing and interpreting measurements. Measurements will be recorded in electronic log-books and the results will be visualised and presented in the form of a digital report. Both e-logbooks and reports will be submitted individually and each student will receive an individual feedback for their work after the reports are marked.
Four extended optics computer practicals will run in the second half of the session and involve developing programming skills in Matlab. A computer assignment is completed at the conclusion of the lab module to consolidate all learning experiences.
Practical manuals, lecture slides, information on forms of scientific communication and other additional resources will be made available to students through Canvas. All assignments, including knowledge tests will be submitted and through Canvas as well and results will be provided online.
Content (topics)
Fourier optics
Harmonic analysis, transfer function, lenses and apertures, diffraction, spatial filtering.
Classical electrodynamic
Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, waves propagating in vacuum and in a medium, polarization, Poynting vector, energy flow, intensity, electric susceptibility and refractive index.
Radiation and sources
photons, particles, thermal sources, point source, dipole radiation, LEDs and lasers
Photometry and Spectroscopy
colour content, colour temperature, human eye's spectral response, radiometry, photometry, spectroscopy.
Reflection and Refraction
Snell's law, critical angle, total internal reflection, paraxial rays, primary and secondary focal lengths, power, Ray transfer matrix description
Lenses and lens systems
Series of curved surfaces, general equation for thin lens, focal points, principal planes, thick lens equation, reduction of lens system to single thick lens, combined power of two surfaces, examples of lens systems, field of view, choice of focal length and image size, anti-reflection coatings, design problems associated with certain lenses, mirrors, electron lenses, lens aberrations (spherical aberration, coma, astigmatism, field curvature, distortion, chromatic aberration).
Stops
Aperture stops, field stops, entrance and exit pupils, f number, depth of field, depth of focus, effect on aberrations, diffraction, resolution.
Microscopy
Wide-field microscopy, upright and inverted microscope designs, confocal microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and other modern types of microscopy.
Radiation interaction and detection
Refraction, specular reflection, scattering (Lambertian, Mie, Rayleigh, Raman), absorption, polarisation, Malus' law, optical activity, photodiodes, photomultipliers, sensitivity, spectral response, characteristic curve, detector noise, contrast transfer function, resolution.
Special topics
May include waveguide optics, integrated optics and resonators, optical fibres, nonlinear optics etc.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Practical Log Book and Report
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsiblity 4. Reflection, innovation, creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: |
|
Assessment task 2: Computer Report
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, innovation, creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Criteria: |
|
Assessment task 3: Tests
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: |
|
Minimum requirements
The minimum requirement to pass this subject is an overall mark of 50%. There is no minimum grade for individual assessment items.
Recommended texts
E. Hecht, Optics, Addison-Wesley, any ed. (also recommended for core subject 69513 Nanophotonics)
N. Ida, Engineering Electromagnetics, Springer (available via a link from UTS Library)
Y.H. Lee, Introduction to Engineering Electromagnetics, Springer (available via a link from UTS Library)
Other resources
Other optics and electromagnetics text books (e.g. C.A. Bennett. Principles of Physical Optics, Wiley; Griffiths. Introduction to Electrodynamics, Prentice-Hall)
MIT OpenCourseWare has excellent online lectures
(e.g. http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-03Fall-2004/CourseHome/index.htm)