Interference, Diffraction, and Coherence (OSE5115)

James E. Harvey, Instructor

COURSE DESCRIPTION

    This course is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in theory of interference, coherence, and diffraction for the beginning graduate student in the College of Optics and Photonics.  Topics covered in the lectures will include: the interference of electromagnetic waves (including polarization effects), interference filters and anti-reflection coatings, basic interferometry, interferogram analysis in optical testing, spatial and temporal coherence, the Van Cittert-Zernike theorem, the foundations of scalar diffraction theory, diffraction grating behavior, and a linear systems formulation of non-paraxial scalar diffraction theory (including surface scatter phenomena).

COURSE OUTLINE

1.2  Introductory Comments about Interference and Diffraction, Hierarchy of Optical Theories.

1.3 Historical Development of Interference and Diffraction (Wave Theory of Light).

3.1 Superposition of Waves

3.7 Interferogram Analysis in Optical Testing.
 

4.1 Coherent versus Incoherent Light.

4.2 Spatial and Temporal Coherence (Coherence Time and Coherence Length). 

4.3 The Complex Degree of Coherence and the Mutual Coherence Function.

HOMEWORK

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL