655-152 Optics: From Rainbows to Digital Imaging

Students may only gain credit for one of 655-152 or 655-101, 655-102 or 655-202 (prior to 2005).

Nil.

This subject introduces students to the concept of light as waves of electromagnetic energy radiation; how it is generated and measured, how this energy propagates through space over time, and how optical elements are used to bend and otherwise manipulate light to achieve important real-world applications. Students will have the opportunity to gain appreciation of light transmission through optical fibres, leading to a discourse covering the field of optical communications. The fundamentals of light refraction and optical systems will be introduced and developed in lectures and by interactive web-based multimedia modules. By participating in the laboratory exercises, students will be offered the opportunity to gain practical skills and a solid understanding of optical imaging which forms the basis of modern digital camera systems. Digital image capture and image compression technologies will be covered, as will both old and new display technologies including virtual reality systems using LCD and plasma screens. The subject covers the latest approaches to high resolution imaging problems including the use of confocal microscopy systems for 3D imaging of biological samples. The fast-growing field of adaptive optics is introduced in the context of improving astronomical telescope observation and also as the latest technologies to correct the eye's optical imperfections, including modern contact lens design and laser-surgical therapy approaches.

Practical assignments due during semester (20%); two multiple-choice tests held during the semester (7.5% each); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (65%).

• G Smith and D A Atchison, The Eye and Visual Optical Instruments. Cambridge University Press, 1997.
• M H Freeman and C C Hull, Optics. Butterworth-Heinemann (ed. 11), 2004.
• D S Falk, D R Brill and D G Stork, Seeing the Light: optics in nature, photography, color, vision, and holography. Harper & Row, New York, 1986.