Applied Optics

At the beginning of this course, we will review the notions of light rays and the approximation conditions of geometrical optics on the one hand, and on the other hand, the important notions for physical optics in wave physics.

Then from the scalar approximation of light waves, a particular case of electromagnetic waves, we will describe the light sources, the phenomena of interference with 2 waves, N waves and then the diffraction in the Fraunhofer approximation.

We will continue with the study of different physical systems widely used by focusing on their power of resolution and their applications: microscope, telescope, Michelson interferometer, grating spectrometer, Fabry-Perot interferometer.

Finally we will finish with the concepts of spatial coherence and temporal coherence of light waves and their use (stellar interferometry, speckle ...)

At the end of this course, students will have acquired different knowledge:

• to know the frameworks of study of the most common optical phenomena
• know how to describe a light source and its physical properties
• calculate and describe physically the interference and diffraction pattern obtained for the most used devices (Young's slits, gratings, rectangular or circular slits...)
• know the similarities and differences between wave phenomena and wave optics phenomena
• determine the resolution powers of the most commonly used optical devices (imaging, spectrometry...)

This course is intended for students who have already completed the second year of university education. Students who take this course must have a good command of the following mathematical tools: trigonometric functions, complex numbers (real part, imaginary part, modulus and argument), scalar and vector products, functions of several variables, derivative, partial derivative, primitive, limited development to order 1 and differential equations.

These students should have followed a UE of geometrical optics and wave physics in order to know the formula of conduction, and the notions related to wave phenomena, in particular the conditions of constructive and destructive interference, of phase difference.

Recommended prerequisites*:

This course is intended for students who have already completed the second year of university education. Students who take this course must have a good command of the following mathematical tools: trigonometric functions, complex numbers (real part, imaginary part, modulus and argument), scalar and vector products, functions of several variables, derivative, partial derivative, primitive, limited development to order 1 and differential equations.

These students must also master the concepts and know-how related to oscillators, waves and geometrical optics.

25% 2CC 75% CT

- reminder on waves (general concepts, standing waves and notion of interference)

- Framework for the study of wave optics: the scalar approximation

- 2-wave interference: conditions of obtaining and first approach.

- N-wave interference: the case of the grating (grating formula, N-wave interference pattern, resolving power)

- From interference to diffraction: Huygens principle, Fraunhofer diffraction

- Interference and diffraction

- Real light sources: temporal and spatial coherence

- The Michelson interferometer: a famous 2-wave interferometer.

- The Fabry-Perot interferometer, another case of N-wave interference in optics

- Optical systems and instruments: application of diffraction and interference

- Introduction to Fourier optics

CM : 18 h

TD : 18 h