Optics | Mechanical Engineering | MIT OpenCourseWare

Course Info

Instructors

Departments

Mechanical Engineering

As Taught In

Spring 2009

Level

Undergraduate
Graduate

Topics

Science
- Physics

Learning Resource Types

Exam Solutions

Exams

Lecture Notes

Lecture Videos

Problem Set Solutions

Problem Sets

Projects with Examples

Download Course

Lecture Videos

Lecture 1: Course organization; introduction to optics

Lecture 2: Reflection and refraction; prisms, waveguides, and dispersion

Lecture 3: Focusing, imaging, and the paraxial approximation

Lecture 4: Sign conventions; thin lenses; real and virtual images

Lecture 5: Thick lenses; the composite lens; the eye

Lecture 6: Terms: apertures, stops, pupils, and windows; single-lens camera

Lecture 7: Basics of mirrors, magnifiers, and microscopes

Lecture 8: Telescopes; aberrations: chromatic, spherical, and coma

Lecture 9: More aberrations; optical design; GRadient INdex (GRIN)

Lecture 11: The Hamiltonian formulation; introduction to waves

Lecture 12: The wave equation; phasor representation; 3D waves

Lecture 13: 3D wave phenomena; introduction to electromagnetics

Lecture 14: Maxwell's equations; polarization; Poynting's vector

Lecture 15: Huygens principle; interferometers; Fresnel diffraction

Lecture 16: Gratings: amplitude and phase, sinusoidal and binary

Lecture 17: Fraunhofer diffraction; Fourier transforms and theorems

Lecture 18: Spatial filtering; lens transfer functions & transforms

Lecture 19: The 4F system; binary amplitude & pupil masks

Lecture 20: Shift invariance; pupil engineering; the Talbot effect

Lecture 22: Coherent and incoherent imaging

Lecture 23: Imaging with a single lens

Lecture 25: Resolution; defocused optical systems

Lecture 26: Depth of focus and field; polarization; wave plates

Course Info

Instructors

Departments

Mechanical Engineering

As Taught In

Spring 2009

Level

Undergraduate
Graduate

Topics

Science
- Physics

Learning Resource Types

Exam Solutions

Exams

Lecture Notes

Lecture Videos

Problem Set Solutions

Problem Sets

Projects with Examples

Download Course

MIT Open Learning

Over 2,500 courses & materials

Freely sharing knowledge with learners and educators around the world. Learn more

© 2001–2026 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Accessibility

Creative Commons License

Terms and Conditions

Proud member of:

© 2001–2026 Massachusetts Institute of Technology