MODULE TITLE

Waves and Optics

 

CREDIT VALUE

15

MODULE CODE

PHY1023

MODULE CONVENER

Prof. P. Vukusic

 

 

DURATION

TERM

1

2

3

Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)

150

WEEKS

T2:01-11

 

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

The module first considers the characteristic parameters of a forced, damped harmonic oscillator, and relates them to the characteristic parameters of wave propagation. Later stages discuss the propagation and reflection of waves, using waves on a stretched string as the model system. Longitudinal waves in solids, sound waves in gases, and waves in periodic structures (key to much of solid-state physics) are also discussed, followed by an introduction to geometrical optics and optical systems.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

The concepts of oscillation amd wave propagation permeate the whole of physics. This module identifies and applies the underlying principles enabling the student to understand many apparently unrelated systems. A wide range of physical phenomena are used as examples. The concepts introduced in this module underpin, and will be developed in later modules, e.g. in PHY2021 Electromagnetism I, PHY2022 Quantum Mechanics I and PHY2024 Condensed Matter I.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

 On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. set up the equations associated with simple-harmonic motion, solve them for different physical conditions and recognise situations where they are applicable;
  2. construct the relevant expressions for alternating current and voltage (using complex-number representation) in an electrical circuit and derive basic quantities, e.g. power dissipation;
  3. manipulate the wave equation and its solution, explain the concepts of wave number, phase velocity, group velocity and dispersion; apply these concepts to waves in periodic structures and to longitudinal waves in solids and gases;
  4. solve problems involving simple systems of lenses and mirror, derive relations such as the lens makers formula, describe the origin and use of total internal reflection;
  5. describe Young's experiment using complex amplitudes and phasors;
  6. calculate the diffraction limited resolution of a simple imaging system;
  7. discuss thin-film interference fringes and anti-reflection coatings and calculate the properties needed by an optimal anti-reflection coating.
  8. describe the diffraction grating, Fabry-Perot, and Michelson interferometers and their use as spectrometers, and calculate their dispersion and resolving power;
  9. discuss the origin of polarisation, its generation and manipulation via dichroism and birefringence;
  10. describe important features of laser light such as coherence, monochromaticity and directionality;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

  1. make a Fourier-series expansion of a simple periodic function;
  2. to take notes in lectures and then refine them later thereby developing skills in the efficient summarising of material;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

  1. undertake guided self-study successfully;
  2. develop appropriate time-management strategies and meet deadlines for completion of work.

SYLLABUS PLAN – summary of the structure and academic content of the module

  1. Introduction
    Brief historical survey.
  2. The Physics of Simple and Damped Harmonic Motion (SHM)
    1. SHM - mass on a spring, equation of motion
    2. Phase angle, displacement, velocity, acceleration
    3. Energy of simple harmonic motion
    4. Damped SHM (mechanical system) - oscillatory and logarithmic decrement (exponential notation)
    5. Quality factor, Q - energy dissipation
    6. Critical-, under- and over-damped mechanical systems
  3. Forced Oscillator
    1. Steady-state solution for mass on a spring plus driving force
    2. Mechanical impedance (complex impedance, amplitude, phase factor); amplitude resonance; power supplied by the driving force, Q-value
  4. Alternating Electrical Currents (Steady State)
    1. Alternating voltage, phasor diagram, amplitude, phase, period
    2. Resistance, inductance and capacitance in an AC circuit: current-voltage relationships
    3. Complex impedance in AC circuits; power in AC circuits; series and parallel resonance
  5. Introduction to Waves
    1. The electromagnetic spectrum
    2. Definition and examples of wave motion; transverse and longitudinal waves; polarization; plane and spherical waves
    3. Basic wave concepts: amplitude and phase; wave number k and angular frequency ω; phase velocity
    4. The wave equation and its solutions
    5. The Doppler effect
    6. Example: transverse waves on a string
    7. Energy transfer in wave motion
  6. Superposition of Waves
    1. Standing waves and normal modes
    2. Partial standing waves
    3. Fourier series
    4. Wave packets, dispersion and group velocity
    5. Example: dispersed wave on a string
  7. Reflection and Transmission of Waves
    1. Characteristic impedance; reflection and transmission coefficients of amplitude and energy
    2. Example: Reflection and transmission of transverse waves on a string
    3. Impedance matching and the quarter-wave transformer
  8. Waves on Periodic Structures
    1. Transverse waves on a one-dimensional periodic structure: dispersion relation, low-pass characteristic, first Brillouin zone
    2. Normal modes on a one-dimensional periodic structure
  9. Other Examples of Waves
    1. Longitudinal waves in a solid
    2. Sound waves in a gas
  10. Optics
    1. Geometrical optics
      Imaging and ray tracing; thin-lenses; total internal reflection
    2. Interference and diffraction
      Young's experiment; diffraction limited resolution; diffraction-grating spectrometer; thin films and anti-reflection coatings; Fabry-Perot interferometer; Michelson interferometer
    3. Dispersion by prisms and diffraction gratings
    4. Polarization
      Electromagnetic interpretation; Generation by polarizers, reflection and scattering; Birefringence
    5. Optical cavities and laser action

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities  

34 hours

Guided independent study  

116 hours

Placement/study abroad

0 hours

 

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

 Category 

 Hours of study time 

 Description 

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

22 hours

22×1-hour lectures

Guided independent study

30 hours

5×6-hour self-study packages

Guided independent study

14 hours

7×2-hour problems sets

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

9 hours

Problems class support

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

3 hours

Tutorial support

Guided independent study

72 hours

Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT

 

 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment

Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

ILOs assessed

Feedback method

Exercises set by tutor

3×1-hour sets (typical)

1-14

Discussion in tutorials

Guided self-study

5×6-hour packages

1-14

Discussion in tutorials

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework

10%

Written exams

90%

Practical exams

0%

 

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment

 

% of credit

Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

 ILOs assessed 

Feedback method

7 × Problems Sets

10%

2 hours per set

1-14

Marked in problems class, then discussed in tutorials

Mid-term Test 1

15%

30 minutes

1-14

Marked, then discussed in tutorials

Mid-term Test 2

15%

30 minutes

1-14

Marked, then discussed in tutorials

Final Examination

60%

120 minutes

1-14

Mark via MyExeter, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.

 DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment

 Form of re-assessment 

ILOs re-assessed

Time scale for re-assessment

Whole module

Written examination (100%)

1-14

August/September assessment period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES  

See Physics Assessment Conventions.

 

RESOURCES

 

 INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES -  The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener.

Core text:

Supplementary texts:

  • Feynman R.P., Leighton R.B. and Sands M. (1963), Lectures on Physics, Vol. I, Addison-Wesley, ISBN 0-201-02116-1
  • Hecht E. (2017), Optics (5th edition), Addison-Wesley, ISBN 978-0133977226
  • Pain H.J. (2005), The Physics of Vibrations and Waves (6th edition), Wiley, ISBN 0-470-01296-X
  • Pedrotti F.L. and Pedrotti F.J.L.S. (2007), Introduction to Optics (3rd edition), Pearson Prentice-Hall, ISBN 978-0-131-97133-2

ELE:

CREDIT VALUE

15

ECTS VALUE

7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES

Vector Mechanics (PHY1021) and Mathematics Skills (PHY1025)

CO-REQUISITE MODULES

none

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)

4

AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING

NO

ORIGIN DATE

01-Oct-10

LAST REVISION DATE

N/A

KEY WORDS SEARCH

Physics; Amplitudes; Diffraction; Dispersion; Examples; Impedance; Motion; Phase; Reflection; Systems; Waves.

Module Descriptor Template Revised October 2011