University of Wisconsin, Madison

Physics 325 : Spring 2001

Wave Motion and Optics

Lectures: 9:55 - 10:45, Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Room 1333 Sterling Hall

Contacts

Professor:

Sridhara Rao Dasu
Department of Physics
4289 Chamberlin Hall
dasu@hep.wisc.edu
608-262-3678 (Office)
608-213-3675 (Wireless)
Office hours: Monday and Tuesday 16:00-19:00

Students:

Class mail list (use sparingly for contacting all involved)

Do use email to contact me - I check email routinely even during weekends. If the questions are generic the answers will be mailed to the class mail list so that all students can benefit. Please request anonymity explictly if you so desire.

Introduction

This course involves study of wave motion with particular application to optics. Study of optical phenomenon continues to be very rewarding. Development of many modern physics discoveries were direct result of the study of optics. Every branch of science has benefited from the wonderful develpments of optical technology. Therefore, this class provides not only an excellent ground work for  further studies in modern physics, but also helps those interested in applications of optical technology. Prerequisites for this course are undergraduate courses on mechanics and electrodynamics (Physics 311 and 321). Intermediate laboratory II (Physics 308) covers some optics experiments.
 

Text

Prescribed: Optics, Eugene Hecht, Third Edition, Addison Wesley Longman

Reference: Introduction to Optics, Pedrotti and Pedrotti, Second Edition, Prentice Hall

Lecture Schedule

Week Monday Wednesday Friday
January 22-27 Introduction Mathematics of waves Mathematics of waves
January 29 - February 2 Review of electrodynamics Electromagnetic waves No class; Project selection
February 5-9 Light and atoms - photons Dipole radiation, Rayleigh scattering Light propagation (Homework 1)
February 12-16 (Prof. Reeder) Lasers and laser light  Laser applications Fiber optics
February 19-23 Light propagation Light propagation (Homework 2) Interaction of light with matter
February 26 - March 2 Geometrical optics Geometrical Optics Geometrical Optics (Homework 3)
March 5-9 (Prof. Pan) Quiz 1 Superposition of waves Superposition of waves
March 19-23 Geometrical Optics Geometrical Optics Geometrical Optics
March 26-30 Geometrical Optics Geometrical Optics Polarization (Homework 4)
April 2-6 Polarization Polarization Polarization 
April 9-13 Interference Interference Interference (Homework 5) 
April 16-20 Quiz 2 Interference Coherence
April 23-27 (Dasu in Geneva) No class; Project preparation No class; Project preparation No class; Project preparation
April 30 - May 4 Diffraction (2 classes 9:55 & 15:30) (Homework 6) Diffraction (2 classes 9:55 & 15:30) Diffraction
May 7-9 Project Presentations (2 classes 9:55 & 15:30)  (Homework 7) Optional makeup quiz; See Review below No class; Study period

Review

I will hold a review day on May 14 from 10AM-12PM when we can solve problems from makeup quiz and practice exam. Rest of the day will be office hours in case you have questions.

Project

All students are required to pick a project. There will be no class on February 2. You are expected to spend time researching various possibilities for your in the library or on the internet. Each student must make an appointment to meet with the instructor for 10-15 minutes during the week of February 5 to discuss their plans for the project. Do schedule an appointment by email if you do not want to wait. Ideas for project are:
  1. Laser trapping of atoms
  2. Stopping light
  3. Imaging
  4. Modern telescopes
  5. Synchrotron radiation applications in biology and chemistry
  6. Synchrotron radiation applications in semi-conductor industry
  7. Optical networking
  8. Structure of photon
  9. PeV gamma rays
  10. Laser aided nuclear fusion
  11. (Your cool idea)

Grading

15% Project
15% Homework
15% Quiz 1 - Chapters 1-4 and 13.1 (2 March, 09:55 - 10:45)
15% Quiz 2 - Geometrical Optics, Polarization, Interference (16 April, 09:55 - 10:45)
Makeup Quiz - Polarization, Interference, Diffraction, Coherence (9 May, 09:55 - 10:45) - Will use in place of Quiz 1 or 2 if better performance is shown
40% Final - Complete sylabus (15 May, 14:45-16:45 + Pizza 17:00-19:00)