Light in Physical Optics

Light in Physical Optics

Properties of Light

• Wave-particle duality: Light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like behavior.
• Electromagnetic wave: Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of electric and magnetic field components.
• Frequency (f) and wavelength (λ): Related by the speed of light (c) equation: c = fλ
• Speed of light (c): Approximately 299,792,458 m/s in vacuum

Types of Light

• Monochromatic light: Light of a single frequency and wavelength.
• Polychromatic light: Light composed of multiple frequencies and wavelengths.
• Coherent light: Light with a fixed phase relationship between its components.
• Incoherent light: Light with random phase relationships between its components.

Reflection and Refraction

• Reflection: Change in direction of light at a surface, with no change in medium.
• Refraction: Change in direction of light at a surface, with a change in medium.
• Snell's Law: Describes the relationship between angles of incidence and refraction: n1sin(θ1) = n2sin(θ2)

Interference and Diffraction

• Interference: Superposition of light waves, resulting in constructive and destructive patterns.
• Diffraction: Bending of light around obstacles or through small openings.
• Diffraction limit: Minimum angular resolution of an optical system, due to diffraction effects.

Polarization

• Polarization: Orientation of light's electric field vector.
• Linear polarization: Electric field vector oscillates in a single plane.
• Circular polarization: Electric field vector rotates in a circular motion.
• Unpolarized light: Random orientation of electric field vectors.

Optical Instruments

• Microscope: Magnifies small objects using a combination of lenses.
• Telescope: Magnifies distant objects using a combination of lenses or mirrors.
• Spectrometer: Measures the distribution of light according to its wavelength or frequency.

Light in Physical Optics

Properties of Light

• Light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like behavior, known as wave-particle duality.
• Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of electric and magnetic field components.
• The frequency (f) and wavelength (λ) of light are related by the speed of light (c) equation: c = fλ.
• The speed of light (c) in vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 m/s.

Types of Light

• Monochromatic light has a single frequency and wavelength.
• Polychromatic light is composed of multiple frequencies and wavelengths.
• Coherent light has a fixed phase relationship between its components.
• Incoherent light has random phase relationships between its components.

Reflection and Refraction

• Reflection occurs when light changes direction at a surface without changing medium.
• Refraction occurs when light changes direction at a surface with a change in medium.
• Snell's Law describes the relationship between angles of incidence and refraction: n1sin(θ1) = n2sin(θ2).

Interference and Diffraction

• Interference occurs when light waves superimpose, resulting in constructive and destructive patterns.
• Diffraction occurs when light bends around obstacles or through small openings.
• The diffraction limit is the minimum angular resolution of an optical system, due to diffraction effects.

Polarization

• Polarization refers to the orientation of light's electric field vector.
• Linear polarization occurs when the electric field vector oscillates in a single plane.
• Circular polarization occurs when the electric field vector rotates in a circular motion.
• Unpolarized light has random orientation of electric field vectors.

Optical Instruments

• Microscopes magnify small objects using a combination of lenses.
• Telescopes magnify distant objects using a combination of lenses or mirrors.
• Spectrometers measure the distribution of light according to its wavelength or frequency.