The purpose of this course is to provide a fundamental understanding of optics where the wave nature of light is taken into account. Physical optics covers polarization, interference and diffraction of light. The physical optics approach is necessary for understanding the limits of resolution of optical imaging systems. In this course, we will discuss the general principles, phenomena which require physical optics for their explanation and applications.

1.   Wave Motion

-Harmonic Waves, Phase and Phase Velocity, The Superposition Principle, The Complex   Representation, Plane Waves, Spherical Waves and Cylindrical Waves

2.    Electromagnetic Theory, Photons, and Light

-Electromagnetic Waves, Energy and Momentum, Light in Bulk Matter, The Electromagnetic-Photon Spectrum

      3.   The Propagation of Light

-Rayleigh Scattering, Reflection, Refraction, The Electromagnetic Approach, Total Internal Reflection, Optical Properties of Metals, The Interaction of Light and Matter

      4.    The Superposition of Waves

-The Addition of Waves of the Same Frequency, The Addition of Waves of Different Frequency, Anharmonic Periodic Waves, Nonperiodic Waves

     5.    Polarization

-The Nature of Polarized Light, Polarizers, Dichroism, Birefringence, Scattering and Polarization, Polarization by Reflection, Retarders, Circular Polarizers

      6.   Interference

-Conditions for Interference, Wavefront-Splittering Interferometers, Amplitude-Splitteing Interferometers, Multiple-Beam Interference, Applications of Single and Multilayer Films

      7.    Diffraction

-Fraunhofer Diffraction, Fresnel Diffraction, Applications of the Fourier Transform to Diffraction, Reconstruction of the Wave Front by Diffraction Holography