Admission Requirements
Mathematics and Physics on Dutch high school VWO level. The mathematical skills from the course AN1na (AN1) are used in this course.
Description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of optics, exploring the fundamental principles and applications of light. Students will learn about the behavior of light as both rays and waves with the goal to understand key concepts such as reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, and polarization. The course covers geometric optics, addressing the principles of lenses and mirrors, as well as physical optics, including interference, diffraction and propagation of light.
Course content
- Geometrical Optics (1/4 of the course material)
Laws of reflection and refraction (Snell's Law, principles of Huygens and Fermat)
Optical systems with lenses and mirrors (e.g. eye, microscope telescope)
Image formation, magnification, limitations (abberations) and optical instruments
- Physical Optics (3/4 of the course material)
Properties of waves (sound, water waves etc.) and light
Interference and coherence (Young's double slit, Michelson and Fabry-Perot interferometer)
Diffraction and diffraction patterns (single slit, double slit, grating)
Diffraction limit of optical instruments and grating spectrometers
Linear and circular polarization of light, λ/2 and λ/4 plates, Brewster’s angle
Course Objectives
Being able to understand and explain the key concepts of geometrical and physcial optics. Calculate the properties and limitations of relatively simple optical instruments and setups.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Apply the laws of reflection and refraction of light.
2. Analyze the behavior of light in various optical systems (lens, eye, telescope, microcope).
3. Explain the principles of interference and diffraction.
4. Describe the different types of polarization of light and their practical uses.
5. Calculate limitations of different optical instruments; e.g. diffraction limit of telescopes and grating spectrometers
Timetable
Schedule
For detailed information go to Timetable in Brightspace
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have sucessfully registered for in MyStudyMap will automatically be displayed in MyTimeTable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information, watch the video or go the the 'help-page' in MyTimetable. Please note: Joint Degree students Leiden/Delft have to merge their two different timetables into one. This video explains how to do this.
Mode of Instruction
Weekly lectures and exercise classes. 4 homework exercises, a midterm test, and a final exam. Brightspace
Assessment method
To pass the course the grade of the final exam has to be a sufficient grade (5,5 or higher). The final grade consists of a weighted average of the midterm test (30%), the final exam (minimum 60%) and homework exercises (maximum 10%).
The final exam consists of two parts. You need to complete both parts of the exam. Part A of the final exam (geometrical optics) can replace the grade of the midterm test if the grade for part A is better than the grade of the midterm exam. As such, part A also serves as a retake opportunity of the midterm test.
More detailed infomation can be found on Brightspace.
Reading List
University Physics, H.D. Young and R.A. Freedman, Addison Wesley 15th edition (ISBN-13: 978-1292314730)
Older versions (12th, 13th en 14th edition) can also be used.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for registering on time, i.e. 14 days before the start of the course. This can be done via Mystudymap. You do this twice a year: once for the courses you want to take in semester 1 and once for the courses you want to take in semester 2. Please note: late registration is not possible.
Registration for courses in the first semester is possible from July; registration for courses in the second semester is possible from December. First-year bachelor students are registered for semester 1 by the faculty student administration; they do not have to do this themselves. For more information, see this page
In addition, it is mandatory for all students, including first-year bachelor students, to register for exams. This can be done up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the exam or up to five calendar days in case of a retake exam. You cannot participate in the exam or retake without a valid registration in My Studymap.
Contact
Lecturer: Dr. M.J.A. de Dood
Remarks
none