chapter 1: nature of light

Chapter 1: Nature of light

waveparticle

Wave-particle duality

However strange, it correctly describes known phenomena connected with light.

E = hn

Optics: the study of light

Rayoptics

Geometrical (ray) opticsmacroscopic-scale phenomena-light travels in straight lines (rays)-wavelength l 0, frequency n ∞-explains reflection and refraction-useful for designing imaging systems

Physical (wave) opticsmicroscopic-scale phenomena-light (electromagnetic radiation) is a wave-action of light described by Maxwell’s equations-explains reflection, refraction, dispersion, interference, polarization, diffraction

Quantum opticsatomic-scale phenomena-light is a photon; has both wave-like and particle-like characteristics

-used to analyze light-matter interactions-explains photoelectric effect, lasers

The electromagnetic spectrum

light is identified as an electromagnetic wave with a frequency detected by the human eye

c = 3 x 108 m/s

The electromagnetic spectrum

Radiometric quantitiescharacterizing the energy content of electromagnetic radiation

differential solid angle dw for describing radiant intensity:

inverse square law for characterizing irradiance:

A steradian corresponds to an area of a sphere equal to r2.

The irradiance decreases inversely with the square of the distance.

You are encouraged to solve all problems in the textbook (Pedrotti3).

The following may be covered in the werkcollege on 7 September 2011:

Chapter 1 2, 10, 17

Exercises