Light, Lasers, Optics (PHYC30023)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The subject will derive the fundamentals of modern optics and apply them to optical systems. We will begin with a matrix approach to geometric ray optics and progress to Gaussian beams with particular emphasis on laser beams and optical resonators. We will review the polarization of light using Jones matrices and Mueller calculus. Interference concepts will be developed and applied to interferometers, thin films and Fabry-Perot cavities. These concepts will be used to explain lasers, from Einstein concepts and population inversion to laser gain and longitudinal mode structure, for three-level and four-level systems, and extended to cover laser dynamics, Q-switched and mode-locked systems, and femtosecond combs.
Fibre optics and applications will include microstructured fibres, coupling, dispersion, fibre amplifiers and lasers. Non-linear optics will be introduced, including coupled-wave theory, harmonic generation, parametric amplification, Pockel and Kerr effects, four-wave mixing and phase conjugation. We will also review Raman, Mie and Brillouin scattering.
Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction theory and the angular spectrum representation of wavefields will be reviewed with emphasis on optical imaging. We will also describe modern optical microscopy from phase imaging to optical coherence tomography and super-resolution methods including STEM, STED, SLIM and TIRF.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, a student should be able to:
- Predict the behaviour of optical instruments using geometric and wave approaches;
- Articulate the operational principles of lasers and the unique properties of laser light to apply their understanding of optics and quantum mechanics;
- Articulate the concepts and operating principles of super-resolution optical microscopes to use their understanding of fundamental optics;
- Solve and analyse relevant problems in modern optics to apply their qualitative and quantitative understanding .
Generic skills
- Analyze how to solve a problem by applying fundamental laws to more complicated situations;
- Apply abstract concepts to real world situations;
- Solve relatively complicated problems using approximations;
- Participate effectively in group discussions.
Last updated: 13 February 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students are required to meet both Physics and Mathematics prerequisites below
Physics:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYC20015 | Special Relativity and Electromagnetism | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Mathematics:
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAST20009 | Vector Calculus |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| MAST20032 | Vector Calculus: Advanced | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAST20026 | Real Analysis |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| MAST20030 | Differential Equations | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PHYC20014 | Theoretical Physics 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MAST20033 | Real Analysis: Advanced | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 13 February 2025
Assessment
Additional details
Problem-solving assignments, 18 hours equivalent, as three equal assignments due at the end of weeks 4, 8 and 12. Solutions for each assignment will be approximately 12 pages, (15% total - 5% each)
Computational project (e.g. excel, matlab, python) 12 hours equivalent, due at the end of week 10. Submitted code and writeup will be approximately 24 pages, (10%)
3-hour final examination during the examination period, (75%)
Last updated: 13 February 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinators Robert Scholten and Ann Roberts Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 48 hours; 36 hours of lectures (3 x 1-hour lectures per week), 12 hours of tutorials (1-hour tutorials per week) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024
Time commitment details
48 contact hours plus 122 hours of assignments, computational project, self-directed learning and final exam.
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 13 February 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
BEA Saleh and MC Teich, Fundamentals of Photonics, 2e, Wiley-Interscience
JW Goodman, Introduction to Fourier Optics, McGraw-Hill
DA Steck, Classical and Modern Optics, http://atomoptics.uoregon.edu/~dsteck/teaching/optics/
FL, LM and LS Pedrotti, Introduction to Optics, 3e, Pearson
Hecht, Optics, 4th edition, Addison-Wesley
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 13 February 2025