We look at the behavior of electrooptic devices as amplitude and phase modulators.

Modern Optics Podcast

Modulators

We look at birefringence in crystals and discuss optical activity and the Faraday effect.

Birefringence

We look at the vectorial nature of light and describe polarization in terms of Jones vectors

Polarization of light

Diffraction from a double slit is discussed. The convolution theorem is presented and the grating equation is derived. (incomplete)

Diffraction from Double Slits

We look at the relationship between far-field (Fraunhofer) diffraction and the Fourier transform, and explore the diffraction pattern of a uniformly illuminated circular aperture, which leads to the Rayleigh criterion for resolution in an optical system.

More Diffraction

We look at Fraunhofer diffraction from a slit and for a Gaussian beam. We use Huygen's principle and also discuss Babinet's principle

Diffraction

We discuss unconventional types of fibers including photonic crystal fibers

More Fiber Optics

We introduce the basic principles and parameters associated with fiber optics

Fiber Optics

We introduce the coherence function and look at the relationship between coherence, bandwidth and linewidth.

Coherence

Fourier Series are introduced and are generalized to the Fourier sine and cosine tansform

Fourier Analysis

We look at the transmission of a Fabry-Perot interferometer and discuss properties like the free spectral range, finesse and linewidth.

Fabry-Perot Interferometer

We investigate the Michelson interferometer and the relationship between physical parameters and the interference term.

Michelson Interferometer

We look at the interference term present when two waves interfere and discuss the effect coherence has on fringe visibility

Two beam interferencde

We look at the difference between group velocity and phase velocity in a dispersive material and introduce the Fourier transform

Group and Phase velocity

We investigate the behavior of multiple waves that overlap in space and time.

Superposition

Recorded class lectures from Peter Beyersdorf's Physics 158 (Modern Optics) class at San Jose State University from the Spring of 2008. Recordings will be added twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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Modern Optics Podcast

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