EE 231 Optics Overview Instructor Professor Andrea Fratalocchi Office Location: Building 1, Room 3222. I give 100% time availability to my students. If for some reason I am out of my office, please send me an email and we will arrange a meeting. Description The course offers a general introduction to optics, covering classical topics such as diffraction, waveguides and resonators, taught in a modern style. Examples and selected lab lessons complement theoretical arguments and concepts introduced during lessons. At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand basic optical systems, and master general concepts of wave propagation that can be applied in a variety of different contexts, from acoustics to microwaves. The topics covered during the lessons are listed below. Maxwell’s equations in isotropic media. Poynting theorem. Definition and physical meaning of the Poynting vector and the energy density of the electromagnetic wave. Complex formalism. Time average of products of sinusoidal functions. Definition of optical intensity. Plane wave solutions of Maxwell’s equations. The scalar theory of diffraction. Sommerfield definition of diffraction. Helmholtz equation for the disturbance field. Intensity observable in the scalar approximation. Classical approach to the diffraction problem: definition of propagation and interaction problems. A first example of propagation problem: interference of two non collinear plane waves. Analysis of intensity distribution. Definition of interference fringes and discussion on possible applications. Spherical waves. Paraxial approximation. Interference between a spherical wave and a plane wave. Bessel beam solution of the Helmholtz equations. Field distribution and dispersionless propagation. Discussion and experimental generation of Bessel beams. Elements of linear system theory and Fourier analysis. The propagation problem. General solution through Fourier modal decomposition. Plane-wave propagator. Linear system representation. Evanescent waves and their physical implications. The propagation problem. First formula of RayleighSommerfield. Huygens principle. Fresnel diffraction integral. Far-Field diffraction formula. Optical resolution limits in the far-field. Double-Slit experiment: analysis with the far-field diffraction integral. Derivation of the paraxial wave equation from Helmholtz equation. Spherical waves and Gaussian beam solutions. Curvature, waist and general properties of Gaussian beams. Direct and Inverse problem of Gaussian beams. Physical explanation of the diffraction of Gaussian beam in terms of dispersion relation. ABCD Law of Gaussian beams. Free space propagation ABCD matrix. The interaction problem: general approach through the transfer function. Exact solution of the interaction with a semi-infinite metallic plane; comparison with the transfer function method; discussion. The thin lens. Transfer function of the thin lens. Application of a thin lens to visualize the far field. Action of a thin lens on a Gaussian Beam. Collimation and Focusing problem. Beam Expander. ABCD matrix of a thin lens. Fresnel diffraction from circular apertures. Fresnel diffraction for opaque discs. Poisson spot. Gratings. General definition. Diffracting orders. Discussion on some possible applications of gratings. Moving gratings. Doppler shift of the input frequency. Application to laser instabilities. Introduction to geometrical optics. Rays and optical paths. Derivation of Snell’s law from Fermat principle. Slab waveguides. Definition of guided modes. Geometrical optics analysis of guided modes. Dispersion relation. Symmetric waveguide. Analysis of dispersion relation of symmetric waveguide. TE and TM modes. Number of modes for a given geometry. Asymetric waveguides: study of the general case. Modal profile of guided modes. The FabryPerot interferometer. Reflection and Transmission from multiple rays. Airy’s Formulae. Finesse. Interferometer resolving power. Optical cavities. ABCD transfer matrix approach. Stability analysis. Gaussian mode solution of cavities made by spherical mirrors. Phase and amplitude self-consistent equations. PREREQUISITES Calculus, Fundamental EM Theory, Linear Algebra
