655-202 Optical Systems

This subject is available to first year students with the approval of the enrolling Faculty.

Credit can only be granted for one of 655-202, 655-101 (prior to 2003) and 655-102 (2003).

Nil.

The topics to be covered are image formation by simple lenses, mirrors, prisms and complex optical systems, along with associated phenomena such as paraxial optics, aberration theory, image quality, diffraction, interference, polarisation and thin films. This basic knowledge will be applied to particular common visual instruments such as microscopes, telescopes and the human eye.

At the end of the subject, the student should understand how images are formed by simple lenses and more complex optical systems (in particular the eye) and the factors that affect the nature and quality of these images. In particular, given the structure of a system, students should, by using basic ray tracing rules, be able to predict the position and size of the image.

The material covered in this subject involves trigonometry, geometry and the analysis of two- and three-dimensional diagrams. Therefore at the end of the subject, students should have enhanced skills in basic mathematics and in dealing with two- and three-dimensional spatial relationships.

This subject should also allow students to develop the following generic skills:

• critical thinking through problem solving;

• efficient time management in completing assignments; and

• cooperation and teamwork through laboratory work.

A 3-hour written examination at the end of the semester (70%) and weekly tests associated with the practical classes and an assessment of practical work (30%). A pass must be obtained for the practical work.

• G Smith and D A Atchison, The Eye and Visual Optical Instruments. Cambridge University Press, 1997.