2.71 | Spring 2014 | Undergraduate

Optics

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to optical science with elementary engineering applications. Topics covered in geometrical optics include: ray-tracing, aberrations, lens design, apertures and stops, radiometry and photometry. Topics covered in wave optics include: basic electrodynamics, polarization, interference, …
This course provides an introduction to optical science with elementary engineering applications. Topics covered in geometrical optics include: ray-tracing, aberrations, lens design, apertures and stops, radiometry and photometry. Topics covered in wave optics include: basic electrodynamics, polarization, interference, wave-guiding, Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction, image formation, resolution, space-bandwidth product. Analytical and numerical tools used in optical design are emphasized. Graduate students are required to complete assignments with stronger analytical content, and an advanced design project.
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets with Solutions
Exams with Solutions
Lecture Notes
Researcher working with an optics table in laboratory.
Laser optics research at Idaho National Laboratory. (Image courtesy of Idaho National Laboratory (INL) on Flickr. CC BY 2.0.)