Bridge Course in Optics

Dr Cherukulappurath Sudhir

Course Coordinator

This Bridge Course in Optics (2 credits, ~30 lectures) covers key concepts in Geometrical Optics and Wave Optics:

1. Geometrical Optics: Topics include Fermat's principle, ray equations, reflection/refraction by lenses and mirrors, total internal reflection, thick lenses, and aberrations.
2. Wave Optics: Focus on simple harmonic motion, Huygens' principle, and wave types (spherical, cylindrical).
3. Interference: Study wave superposition, Newton's rings, and Michelson interferometer.
4. Diffraction: Covers Fraunhofer and thermal diffraction, with a brief look at holography.
5. Polarization: Discusses polarized light, birefringence, and techniques for altering polarization.

The course emphasizes problem-solving to apply mathematical principles to physics problems.