Physical Optics
In dealing with Physical Optics we are concerned with either making use of the wave or quantum natures of light or avoiding problems caused by them. The wave picture is useful for thinking about phenomena such as coherence, diffraction, interference, propagation, and polarization. The quantum picture is most useful for phenomena such as non-linear optics and photon shot noise. Much of the power of optical and electro-optical systems ultimately derives from manipulation of these and similar phenomena.
Because of the wide variety of useful physical optical effects, unlike with Geometrical Optics, it is not possible to make a concise, detailed statement of what the design task in physical optics involves. In general, of course, one can say that to successfully and efficiently design a system using a physical optics phenomenon, one must have a deep understanding of the physics, and that one should be familiar with what others have done in the past.
I have dealt extensively with all of the above listed physical optics phenomena in the context of system design, fabrication, and test. For a list of the types of projects I have been involved with, see Conceptual and System Design and Subsystem and Component Design.
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Copyright © 2002, David F. Schaack. All Rights Reserved. |