Optics and lasers

lphy2141  2018-2019  Louvain-la-Neuve

Optics and lasers
5 credits
22.5 h + 22.5 h
Q1
Teacher(s)
Cornet Alain; Lauzin Clément;
Language
English
Prerequisites
LPHYS1221 for the students enrolled in the Bachelor in physics who wish to follow this teaching unit within the additional module in physics
Main themes
Basic teaching unit, giving a description of all aspects of general optics and an introduction to laser physics
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1

a. Contribution of the teaching unit to the learning outcomes of the programme (PHYS2MA)

Axis N°1: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5

Axis N°2: 2.2

Axis N°3: 3.1, 3.2

Axis N°4: 4.2

Axis N°5: 5.2, 5.3

 

b. Specific learning outcomes of the teaching unit

 

At the end of this teaching unit, the student will be able to :

 

1.    understand basic principles of optics used for example in beamsplitters, multidielectric mirrors or filters, gratings, interferometers, optical devices¿;

2.    use Fourier optics to solve problems of diffraction;

3.    measure temporal of spatial coherence of light sources;

4.    calculate the propagation of Gaussian laser beams;

recognize the necessary conditions to build a continuous-wave laser

 

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Content
The teaching unit is structured as follows:
1.     General optics : decomposition in plane waves, polarization, linear interaction with matter, refraction, Fresnel laws, geometrical optics, imaging systems, Jones matrices, interferences, diffraction, temporal and spatial coherence, Fourier optics;
2.     Lasers physics and basic properties of lasers : amplifying medium, laser cavity, Q-Switch, propagation of Gaussian beams.
Teaching methods
Ex-cathedra and 5 experimental laboratories.
Evaluation methods
Written : problems to solve and questions about the theory
Bibliography
E. Hecht, Optics, Addison-Wesley (2016).
ISBN-10: 0133977226
Faculty or entity
PHYS


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Master [120] in Electrical Engineering

Master [120] in Physical Engineering

Master [120] in Physics

Master [60] in Physics

Additionnal module in Physics