Last modified: 05 Oct 2023 08:46
This course gives an overview of a optical physics, spanning the classical ideas of geometrical optics through to modern photonic devices such as lasers that are quantum mechanical in nature. It touches on a number of wave phenomena such as optical polarisation and how optics is fundamentally linked to the powerful mathematical tool of Fourier theory. Through a range of examples, the course will illustrate how optics is used in the modern world, from microscopes to telecommunications.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session | First Sub Session | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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This course serves as an introduction to optics and photonics at honours level. It introduces the basics of imaging systems in the context of geometric optics, including telescopes and microscopes before considering the wave phenomena, polarisation and interference. Ideas associated with optical coherence are discussed, looking at imaging systems such as optical coherence tomography. Diffraction theory and the powerful link between Fraunhofer diffraction and Fourier transforms is outlined. In the final section of the course an introduction is given to the laser, examining the building blocks for a laser system in the form of an optical cavity and a gain material. The particular form of optical beams that lasers produce, the Gaussian beam is discussed, as are a range of different laser examples, from semiconductor to fibre laser systems.
Course outline:
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 17 | Feedback Weeks | 19 | |
| Feedback |
Students will choose articles from the research literature in optics and write news style articles in different journalistic styles aimed at different technical audiences. Written feedback will be given via MyAberdeen. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Create | Analyse complex information about optics and photonics research and communicate this to different specialist audiences in written form |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 15 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 17 | Feedback Weeks | 19 | |
| Feedback |
The submission will include the working program as well as a write up assessing the outputs of the program (max 1,000 words) Written feedback will be given via myAberdeen. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Explain and calculate the properties of lasers and laser beams using concepts in atomic and optical physics |
| Conceptual | Create | Analyse complex information about optics and photonics research and communicate this to different specialist audiences in written form |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the properties of polarised light using different theoretical approaches |
| Factual | Apply | Solve problems in optical physics making use of diffraction theory |
| Factual | Understand | Explain how geometrical optics can be applied to a range of problems involving simple optical instrumentation |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 19,20 | Feedback Weeks | ||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Explain and calculate the properties of lasers and laser beams using concepts in atomic and optical physics |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the properties of polarised light using different theoretical approaches |
| Factual | Apply | Solve problems in optical physics making use of diffraction theory |
| Factual | Understand | Explain how geometrical optics can be applied to a range of problems involving simple optical instrumentation |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 20 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 15 | Feedback Weeks | 17 | |
| Feedback |
This take home assessment will consist of questions based on course material, and will assess knowledge and understanding as well as problem solving skills. Feedback will be provided on individual answers and solutions will be discussed in class. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Analyse | Explain and calculate the properties of lasers and laser beams using concepts in atomic and optical physics |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the properties of polarised light using different theoretical approaches |
| Factual | Apply | Solve problems in optical physics making use of diffraction theory |
| Factual | Understand | Explain how geometrical optics can be applied to a range of problems involving simple optical instrumentation |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback | ||||
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Explain how geometrical optics can be applied to a range of problems involving simple optical instrumentation |
| Conceptual | Understand | Describe the properties of polarised light using different theoretical approaches |
| Factual | Apply | Solve problems in optical physics making use of diffraction theory |
| Conceptual | Analyse | Explain and calculate the properties of lasers and laser beams using concepts in atomic and optical physics |
| Conceptual | Create | Analyse complex information about optics and photonics research and communicate this to different specialist audiences in written form |
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