1. Introduction
Study of light, refraction, reflection, and optical phenomena
What is Optics?
Optics studies the behavior of light and its interactions with matter.
It encompasses both geometric optics (ray-based) and wave optics (interference and diffraction).
Key concepts include refraction, reflection, interference patterns, and diffraction effects.
Why Study Optics?
It explains how lenses focus light, how rainbows form, and how fiber optics transmit data.
It is fundamental to fields like photography, telecommunications, astronomy, and vision science.
Applications
- Cameras and telescopes
- Fiber optic communications
- Laser technology
- Medical imaging and microscopy
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of waves
- Trigonometry
- Light as an electromagnetic wave
Module Breakdown
- Snells Law: Refraction at interfaces, relationship between angles and refractive indices
- Total Internal Reflection: Critical angle, applications in prisms and optical fibers
- Fibre Optics: Light propagation in optical fibers, applications in communications
- Double Slit Interference: Young's experiment, interference pattern calculation
- Diffraction: Single-slit diffraction, diffraction limits
- Diffraction Gratings: Multiple-slit interference, spectroscopy applications
- Geometric Optics: Ray diagrams, thin lens equation, mirrors