The required text book for the course is:

• Eugene Hecht, Optics, Third Edition (Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, 1998).

• E. Hecht, Optics (Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, 1998).
• F. A. Jenkins and H. A. White, Fundamentals of Optics, Fourth Edition (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1976).
• J. Meyer-Arendt, Introduction to Classical and Modern Optics, Second Edition (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1984).
• F. L. Pedrotti and L.S. Pedrotti, Introduction to Optics (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1987).
• R. D. Guenther, Modern Optics (Wiley, New York, 1990).

This outline is tentative and subject to change as the semester progresses.

• Introduction (Chapter 1 - very briefly)
• Wave motion and wave formalism (Chapter 2 - mostly review)
• Electromagnetic waves, wave equation, wave properties (Chapter 3 - review)
• Propagation of light, Snell's law, Fermat's principle (Chapter 4 - review)
• Reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves (Chapter 4)
• Geometrical optics, refraction, lenses, mirrors (Chapter 5)
• Optical systems and instruments (Chapter 5)
• Thick lens optics (Chapter 6 - may skip this)
• Superposition of waves, phasors, wave packets (Chapter 7)
• Polarization and related topics, Brewster's angle (Chapter 8)
• Interference, Young's experiment, interferometers (Chapter 9)
• Diffraction, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, zone plates (Chapter 10)
• If we are still going strong ...

Fourier optics (Chapter 11), Coherence (Chapter 12), Topics in Modern Optics (Chapter 13 )

In the lecture we will follow a pedagogic style which develops theoretical foundations, and discusses physical interpretation of the material. The primary goal of the homework assignments is to cement your understanding of the material by solving well-defined problems with well-defined solutions. You are encouraged to use whatever additional sources of information you can find to help you to solve the problems. Other text books (see the supplemental reading list), the web and your fellow students are valuable resources.

Formal problem sets will be assigned each week, usually on monday. They will be due wednesday of the following week. There are solutions to many of the problems in the back of the text book. Resist the temptation to skip to these too quickly. Don't allow them to become a crutch which will not be there in an exam (or the real world!). Solutions to the rest of the assigned problems will be posted after they have been graded.

• Assignments will be posted here.
• Solutions will be posted here.

Study Groups: You are welcome to form study groups to solve these problems. The only requirement I have is that whatever you hand in for grading truly represents your understanding of the material. If you have been in a group which has managed to solve a problem, but you do not understand that solution, do not just copy it down and hand it in (doing so would be a violation of the honor code)! Please do come to see me during office hours so I can try to help. The problem sets will be graded, so it is only a matter of fairness that you  receive credit only for the understanding you have achieved.

There will be two examinations administered during the regular class periods plus the usual final examination. All exams are closed book. There will be no makeup exams. For documented medical or other emergencies you should contact the instructor as soon as possible. Unexcused, missed exams will be averaged into the overall hour examination grade as a "zero."

Questions in the two in-class examinations will be based on the homework assignments in the preceding section of the course. The final examination will be comprehensive and will not be so closely based on homework assignments. More details on the examinations contents and scores will be posted here closer to the time.

The most likely dates for the in-class examinations are:

• Wednesday Oct. 6th., 11-11:50
• Friday November 19th., 11-11:50

• Thursday, December 16th., 09:10-11:10

Exam I:

The laboratory aspect of PH 353 is an essential part of the course. Unsatisfactory performance in laboratory will result in a failing grade or an incomplete for the course, at the instructor's option.

You must purchase the lab manual* for the course. The CSU Society of Physics Students has kindly offered to handle the reproduction and distribution of the manuals at a price which is lower than if I had done it through the bookstore. They will come to class in the first week to sell them. Laboratory notebook and report guidelines, and the grading criteria are given in a separate handout that you will receive at the first lab.

* Important note: Most of the content of the lab manual was provided by Professors Fairbank, Hadley, Lee, Patton and She.  I have edited and reformatted the text for our use this semester. Please give me feedback so we can continue to improve the manual and the lab.
 

The following scale will be used as the guideline for most class related graded items (problem sets, exams, lab notebooks, laboratory performance, laboratory reports, etc.) and  grade computations:
 

I reserve the right to make adjustments (up or down) if I feel that the grade assigned by this mechanism does not reflect appropriately the grade earned by a student. If you have questions on any grades, please make an appointment and bring in your graded assignment. Your instructors will be happy to go over your work and the grading criteria in detail. Such, one-on-one meetings are actually quite useful. They will enable you to better understand the concepts involved, allow you to get a better hold on good strategies for communicating your solutions, and allow your instructor to better understand your approach to the material.

Often,  it takes a lab or  problem set or so to get "calibrated" to what is expected in a course. Clear evidence of improvement will be taken into account when final grades are assigned. That is, students within one or two points of the next higher letter grade may be given a "boost" if the grade record shows a clear history of improvement.

Any unusual circumstances which will adversely affect performance in the laboratory or on problem sets, exams, reports, etc., should be communicated promptly, as should questions or complaints on any graded items. Belated problems, communicated well after the fact may not receive a sympathetic ear! As a general rule, questions on grades should be raised within two class periods after the graded item is handed back.

The final grade will be determined by the average of four topical grades:
 

Note: A failing performance in laboratory (that is, a laboratory final average below 5.5) will result in an "F" grade or an incomplete for the course, at the instructor's option.

Students with special needs (such as physical or learning disabilities) are encouraged to contact me to discuss any accommmodations that could be made to assist them.
 
 

• OpticsApplets (Java)

This applet allows users to simulate standard optic elements (lens, mirror, dielectrics, sources, apertures) and observe the ways that light rays propagate through these elements. The applet is designed to be scripted but may also be used to construct optical systems using buttons and a click and drag metaphor.  Several examples.

• Diffraction Demos (Java)

General

• CSU Physics Dept.

 
• CSU Society Physics Students:

The Society of Physics Students is a national organization designed to promote student interest in physics. Our local chapter at Colorado State University meets every other Fridays at 4:10 in Weber 102. CSU SPS regularly plans activities and we invite everyone to participate. For more  information about SPS at CSU please drop by Weber 104 or Email us!
 
• CSU Little Shop of Physics:

The Little Shop of Physics is a collection of hands-on science experiments that are designed to be used by students at all grade levels, K-16. Over the past four years, the Little Shop of Physics crew has seen over 40,000 students in area schools; we have also presented our program to community groups, groups visiting Colorado State, and to members of the public at our yearly open house in February. PH142 students can get involved! Contact Brian Jones.