Physical Optics

This textbook provides a sound foundation in physical optics by covering key concepts in a rigorous but accessible manner. Propagation of electromagnetic waves is examined from multiple perspectives, with explanation of which viewpoints and methods are best suited to different situations. After an introduction to the theory of electromagnetism, reflection, refraction, and dispersion, topics such as geometrical optics, interference, diffraction, coherence, laser beams, polarization, crystallography, and anisotropy are closely examined. Optical elements, including lenses, mirrors, prisms, classical and Fabry-Perot interferometers, resonant cavities, multilayer dielectric structures, interference and spatial filters, diffraction gratings, polarizers, and birefringent plates, are treated in depth. The coverage also encompasses such seldom-covered topics as modeling of general astigmatism via 4x4 matrices, FFT-based numerical methods, and bianisotropy, with a relativistic treatment of optical activity and the Faraday and Fresnel-Fizeau effects. Finally, the history of optics is discussed.

This present text has emerged from the lecture notes for a one semester, first year, graduate level course which has been offered yearly since fall 1985 here in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Enrollment in the course, however, has not been limited to first year graduate electrical engineering students, but has included seniors, as well as more advanced students, from a variety of disciplines including other areas of engineering and physics. Although other Physical Optics texts exist, the most up-to-date ones are written primarily for undergraduate courses. As is discussed in slightly more depth in the introduction in the beginning of Chap ter 1, up-to-dateness is important in a Physical Optics text, as even classical optics has been greatly rejuvenated by the events of the last 30 years, since the demonstration of the laser. The perception of this author is that the needs of a graduate level text are quite different from that of an undergraduate text. At the undergraduate level, one is generally pleased if the student can qualitatively grasp a portion of the concepts presented and have some recollection of where to look them up if need be later in his/her career. A deeper insight is necessary at the graduate level and is generally developed through qualitative analysis of the problems within the subject area.

An intuitive and accessible approach to the fundamentals of physical optics In the newly revised Second Edition of Principles of Physical Optics, eminent researcher Dr. Charles A. Bennet delivers an intuitive and practical text designed for a one-semester, introductory course in optics. The book helps readers build a firm foundation in physical optics and gain valuable, practical experience with a range of mathematical applications, including matrix methods, Fourier analysis, and complex algebra. This latest edition is thoroughly updated and offers 20% more worked examples and 50% more homework problems than the First Edition. Only knowledge of standard introductory sequences in calculus and calculus-based physics is assumed, with the included mathematics limited to what is necessary to adequately address the subject matter. The book provides additional materials on optical imaging and nonlinear optics and dispersion for use in an accelerated course. It also offers: A thorough introduction to the physics of waves, including the one-dimensional wave equation and transverse traveling waves on a string Comprehensive explorations of electromagnetic waves and photons, including introductory material on electromagnetism and electromagnetic wave equations Practical discussions of reflection and refraction, including Maxwell’s equations at an interface and the Fresnel equations In-depth examinations of geometric optics, as well as superposition, interference, and diffraction Perfect for advanced undergraduate students of physics, chemistry, and materials science, Principles of Physical Optics also belongs on the bookshelves of engineering students seeking a one-stop introduction to physical optics.

The famous physicist explains early experiments, studies on polarization, the mathematical representation of the properties of light, and refinements and advances in theory. 279 figures. 10 portraits. 1926 edition.

Providing a picture of modern physical optics as an expert would see it, this clear exposition of the most useful ideas of optics will be accessible to undergraduate students. This textbook covers both classical and modern optics and is based on a course offered by Moscow State University in recent years - the main objective of which was to provide a comprehensive presentation of the fundamentals of the subject. Containing a much higher proportion of topical material than conventional textbooks the contents include electromagnetic theory of light, optical radiation physics and the physics of interaction of radiation with matter. Among the contemporary topics discussed most comprehensively are lasers, nonlinear optics, and new methods of optical spectroscopy.

An intuitive and accessible approach to the fundamentals of physical optics In the newly revised Second Edition of Principles of Physical Optics, eminent researcher Dr. Charles A. Bennet delivers an intuitive and practical text designed for a one-semester, introductory course in optics. The book helps readers build a firm foundation in physical optics and gain valuable, practical experience with a range of mathematical applications, including matrix methods, Fourier analysis, and complex algebra. This latest edition is thoroughly updated and offers 20% more worked examples and 50% more homework problems than the First Edition. Only knowledge of standard introductory sequences in calculus and calculus-based physics is assumed, with the included mathematics limited to what is necessary to adequately address the subject matter. The book provides additional materials on optical imaging and nonlinear optics and dispersion for use in an accelerated course. It also offers: A thorough introduction to the physics of waves, including the one-dimensional wave equation and transverse traveling waves on a string Comprehensive explorations of electromagnetic waves and photons, including introductory material on electromagnetism and electromagnetic wave equations Practical discussions of reflection and refraction, including Maxwell’s equations at an interface and the Fresnel equations In-depth examinations of geometric optics, as well as superposition, interference, and diffraction Perfect for advanced undergraduate students of physics, chemistry, and materials science, Principles of Physical Optics also belongs on the bookshelves of engineering students seeking a one-stop introduction to physical optics.