Høst 2024

FYS-2022 Waves and optics - 10 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for fysikk og teknologi

Type of course

The course is available as a singular course. The course is also available to exchange students and Fulbright students.

Course overlap

FYS-3009 Photonics 5 ects

Course contents

The course covers three broad topics: fundamentals of waves, waves-media interactions and optics. Fundamentals of waves will include scalar and vector waves, polarization, Gaussian beams and superposition of waves. Waves-media interaction will cover waves at an interface and in anisotropic media, Fresnel reflection and refraction, wave absorption, dispersion, diffraction and scattering. Optics will include ray optics (geometrics) and Fourier optics.

The course will provide theoretical insight and provide problem solving skills. Practical demonstrations for illustration of concepts and phenomena may be included through open courseware/videos and lab exercises.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements are generell studiekompetanse + SIVING (matematikk R1 (eller matematikk S1 og S2) og R2 og fysikk 1)

Local admission, application code 9391 - singular courses in engineering sciences.

Objective of the course

Knowledge - the student can:

understand waves and phenomena in different media (for example acoustics, fluids and electromagnetics)
describe general properties of light, beams and optical elements
provide an overview on electromagnetic waves and their interaction with media
identify interference, diffraction and scattering phenomena

Skills - the student can:

describe scalar waves in different coordinate systems
distinguish between standing and propagation waves
describe the propagation, reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves
calculate and solve problems related to wave phenomena
carry out basic experiments related to wave phenomena

General expertise - the student can:

understand wave phenomena
interpret complex wave phenomena using simple concepts such as interference, diffraction, scattering and dispersion
understand naturally occurring optical phenomena (focusing of light, rainbows etc) as encountered in daily life

Language of instruction

The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 45 hours

Exercises: 30 hours

Lab exercises: 10 hours