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
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
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 enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Contact
Lecturer: Dr. M.J.A. de Dood
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.