Optics

Full course description

The study of optics begins with a geometrical approach, modelling light as rays which can travel according to specific rules. Essentially optics treats all rays as travelling in straight lines until such a point that they reach an optical device such as a mirror, lens or obstacle. Based on these principles, we can assess the behavior of optical devices (telescopes, microscopes, cameras for example) but also begin to understand optical phenomena which occur in everyday life (i.e. rainbows etc.). After the geometrical approach, we will move forward to physical optics where light is considered to be a wave. In this part more complex phenomena like polarization, interference, diffraction and their application (e.g. non-reflective coatings, Michelson interferometer,…) will be described.