|
Published:
August 2, 2011

Optics For Dummies

Overview

The easy way to shed light on Optics

In general terms, optics is the science of light. More specifically, optics is a branch of physics that describes the behavior and properties of light?including visible, infrared, and ultraviolet?and the interaction of light with matter.

Optics For Dummies gives you an approachable introduction to optical science, methods, and applications. You'll get plain-English explanations of the nature of light and optical effects; reflection, refraction, and diffraction; color dispersion; optical devices, industrial, medical, and military applications; as well as laser light fundamentals.

  • Tracks a typical undergraduate optics course
  • Detailed explanations of concepts and summaries of equations
  • Valuable tips for study from college professors

If you're taking an optics course for your major in physics or engineering, let Optics For Dummies shed light on the subject and help you succeed!

Read More

About The Author

Galen Duree, Jr., PhD, is Professor of Physics and Optical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana, where he is also the Director of the Center for Applied Optics Studies. Duree jointly established the Ultrashort Pulse Laser Laboratory at RHIT and continues to work with the Navy.

Sample Chapters

optics for dummies

CHEAT SHEET

Optics covers the study of light. Three phenomena — reflection, refraction, and diffraction — help you predict where a ray or rays of light will go. Study up on other important optics topics, too, including interference, polarization, and fiber optics.Reflection and refraction equations for predicting light's directionReflection and refraction are two processes that change the direction light travels.

HAVE THIS BOOK?

Articles from
the book

Imaging is a key function of optics. Specific optics equations can help you determine the basic characteristics of an image and predict where it will form. Use the following optics equations for your imaging needs: Lateral magnification: Lateral magnification is one way you can describe how big the image is compared to the original object.
Besides imaging, fiber-optic networks are probably the largest application of optics. Fiber optics are very long, thin glass fibers that transfer information-bearing light from one place to another, but that may not be in direct sight of each other. You need to be aware of a few characteristics of the particular fiber you're using so that you can ensure the information is accurately transmitted from one end of the fiber to the other.
Diffraction is light's response to having something mess with its path, so diffraction occurs only when something blocks part of the wavefront. Diffraction is the phenomenon where light bends around an obstacle (this bending is not due to refraction, because the material doesn't change as refraction requires).
Optical interference is just the interaction of two or more light waves. Optical interference is useful in many applications, so you need to understand some basic equations related to this optical phenomenon. The following equations allow you to calculate various quantities related to optical interference in the two most common interference arrangements.
Optical polarization is the orientation of the planes of oscillation of the electric field vectors for many light waves. Optical polarization is often a major consideration in the construction of many optical systems, so equations for working with polarization come in handy. The following equations highlight some important polarization concepts.
Optics covers the study of light. Three phenomena — reflection, refraction, and diffraction — help you predict where a ray or rays of light will go. Study up on other important optics topics, too, including interference, polarization, and fiber optics.Reflection and refraction equations for predicting light's directionReflection and refraction are two processes that change the direction light travels.
Reflection and refraction are two processes that change the direction light travels. Using the equations for calculating reflection and refraction, you can predict where rays encountering a surface will go — whether they reflect or refract (bounce off the surface or bend through it) — which is an important concept in the study of optics.
https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6630d85d73068bc09c7c436c/69195ee32d5c606051d9f433_4.%20All%20For%20You.mp3

Frequently Asked Questions

No items found.