Plane waves and light propagation. Reflection and refraction. Geometrical optics. Prisms and thin lenses. Interference. Diffraction. Polarization. Introduction to birefringence. Electromagnetic spectrum. Human vision.
Laboratory experiments: Focal length of a lens; measurement of the speed of light; diffraction from a slit and from a grating; measurement of the wavelength of light with a Michelson interferometer.
Knowledge acquired:
Fundamental properties and phenomena in the propagation of electromagnetic waves: intensity and polarization, refraction and reflection, diffraction, diffusion. The electromagnetic spectrum. Human vision.
Competence acquired:
Theory of the fundamental laws and phenomena in optics. Use of basic optical instrumentation: lenses and mirrors, diffraction gratings, interferometers. Design and analysis of experiments on the propagation of light.
Skills acquired (at the end of the
course):
Use of basic optical instrumentation, lasers and detectors. Design and reporting of laboratory experiments.
Prerequisites
Courses required: Physics laboratory I
Teaching Methods
CFU: 6
Total hours of the course (including
the time spent in attending lectures,
seminars, private study, examinations,
etc...): 150
Contact hours for: Lectures (hours): 40
Contact hours for: Laboratory-field/
practice (hours): 12
Intermediate examinations: none
Further information
Office hours: Wednesday, 14-16
Website: --
Type of Assessment
Written examination (plus an optional oral examination)
Course program
Plane waves and light propagation. Reflection and refraction. Geometrical optics. Prisms and thin lenses. Interference. Diffraction. Polarization. Introduction to birefringence. Electromagnetic spectrum. Human vision.
Laboratory experiments: Focal length of a lens; measurement of the polarization of light; diffraction from a slit and from a grating; measurement of the wavelength of light with a Michelson interferometer.