Principles of Physical Optics

An intuitive and accessible approach to the fundamentals of physical optics

In the newly revised Second Edition of Principles of Physical Optics, eminent researcher Dr. Charles A. Bennet delivers an intuitive and practical text designed for a one-semester, introductory course in optics. The book helps readers build a firm foundation in physical optics and gain valuable, practical experience with a range of mathematical applications, including matrix methods, Fourier analysis, and complex algebra.

This latest edition is thoroughly updated and offers 20% more worked examples and 50% more homework problems than the First Edition.

Only knowledge of standard introductory sequences in calculus and calculus-based physics is assumed, with the included mathematics limited to what is necessary to adequately address the subject matter. The book provides additional materials on optical imaging and nonlinear optics and dispersion for use in an accelerated course. It also offers:

• A thorough introduction to the physics of waves, including the one-dimensional wave equation and transverse traveling waves on a string
• Comprehensive explorations of electromagnetic waves and photons, including introductory material on electromagnetism and electromagnetic wave equations
• Practical discussions of reflection and refraction, including Maxwell’s equations at an interface and the Fresnel equations
• In-depth examinations of geometric optics, as well as superposition, interference, and diffraction

Perfect for advanced undergraduate students of physics, chemistry, and materials science, Principles of Physical Optics also belongs on the bookshelves of engineering students seeking a one-stop introduction to physical optics.

Charles A. Bennett, PhD, is Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and former Director of the UNCA Center for Teaching and Learning. Since 1983, he has collaborated with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research is focused on quantum optics, physical optics, and laser applications in environmental and fusion energy problems.

1 The Physics of Waves

1.1 Introduction

1.2 One-Dimensional Wave Equation

1.2.1 Transverse Traveling Waves on a String

1.3 General Solutions to the 1-D Wave Equation

1.4 Harmonic Traveling Waves

1.5 The Principle of Superposition

1.5.1 Periodic Traveling Waves

1.5.2 Linear Independence

1.6 Complex Numbers and the Complex Representation

1.6.1 Complex Algebra

1.6.2 The Complex Representation of Harmonic Waves

1.7 The Three-Dimensional Wave Equation

1.7.1 Three-Dimensional Plane Waves

1.7.2 Spherical Waves


2 Electromagnetic Waves and Photons

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Electromagnetism

2.3 Electromagnetic Wave Equations

2.3.1 Transverse Electromagnetic Waves

2.3.2 Energy Flow and the Poynting Vector

2.3.3 Irradiance

2.4 Photons

2.4.1 Single-Photon Interference

2.5 The Electromagnetic Spectrum


3 Reflection and Refraction

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Overview of Reflection and Refraction

3.2.1 Fermat’s Principle of Least Time

3.3 Maxwell’s Equations at an Interface

3.3.1 Boundary Conditions

3.3.2 Electromagnetic Waves at an Interface

3.4 The Fresnel Equations

3.4.1 Incident Wave Polarized Normal to the Plane of Incidence

3.4.2 Incident Wave Polarized Parallel to the Plane of Incidence

3.5 Interpretation of the Fresnel Equations

3.5.1 Normal Incidence

3.5.2 Brewster’s Angle

3.5.3 Total Internal Reflection

3.5.4 Plots of the Fresnel Equations vs. Incident Angle

3.6 Reflectivity and Transmissivity

3.6.1 Plots of Reflectivity and Transmissivity vs. Incident Angle

3.6.2 The Evanescent Wave

3.7 Scattering

3.7.1 Atmospheric Scattering

3.7.2 Optical Materials

3.8 Linear Polarization

3.8.1 Linear Polarizers

3.8.2 Linear Polarizer Design

3.9 Birefringence

3.10 Circular and Elliptical Polarization

3.10.1 Wave Plates and Circular Polarizers

3.11 Jones Vectors and Matrices

3.11.1 Birefringent Colors

3.12 The Electro-optic Effect

3.12.1 Pockels Cells

3.12.2 Kerr Cells

3.13 Optical Activity

3.14 Faraday Rotation

3.15 Acousto-optic Effect


4 Geometric Optics 1

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Reflection and Refraction at Aspheric Surfaces

4.3 Reflection and Refraction at a Spherical Surface

4.3.1 Spherical Reflecting Surfaces

4.3.2 Spherical Refracting Surfaces

4.3.3 Sign Conventions and Ray Diagrams

4.4 Lens Combinations

4.4.1 Thin-Lenses in Close Combination

4.5 *Principal Points and Effective Focal Lengths

4.6 Aberrations

4.6.1 Chromatic Aberration

4.6.2 Spherical Aberration

4.6.3 Astigmatism and Coma

4.6.4 Field Curvature

4.6.5 Diffraction

4.7 Optical Instruments

4.7.1 The Camera

4.7.2 The Eye

4.7.3 The Magnifying Glass

4.7.4 The Compound Microscope

4.7.5 The Telescope

4.7.6 The Exit Pupil

4.8 *Optical Fibers


5 Geometric Optics 2

5.1 *Radiometry

5.1.1 Extended Sources

5.1.2 Radiometry of Blackbody Sources

5.1.3 Rayleigh-Jeans Theory and the Ultraviolet Catastrophe

5.1.4 Planck’s Quantum Theory of Blackbody Radiation

5.2 *Thick Lenses

5.2.1 *Principal Points and Effective Focal Lengths of Thick Lenses

5.3 Aberrations

5.4 *Introduction to Matrix Methods in Paraxial Geometrical Optics

5.4.1 The Translation Matrix

5.4.2 The Refraction Matrix

5.4.3 The Reflection Matrix

5.4.4 The Ray Transfer Matrix

5.4.5 Location of Cardinal Points for an Optical System


6 Superposition and Interference

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Superposition of Harmonic Waves

6.3 Interference Between Two Monochromatic Electromagnetic Waves

6.3.1 Linear Power Detection

6.3.2 Interference Between Beams with the Same Frequency

6.3.3 Thin-Film Interference

6.3.4 Quasi-Monochromatic Sources

6.3.5 Fringe Geometry

6.3.6 Interference Between Beams with Different Frequencies

6.4 Fourier Analysis

6.4.1 Fourier Transforms

6.4.2 Position Space, k-Space Domain

6.4.3 Frequency-Time Domain

6.5 Properties of Fourier Transforms

6.5.1 Symmetry Properties

6.5.2 Linearity

6.5.3 Transform of a Transform

6.6 Wavepackets

6.7 Group and Phase Velocity

6.8 Interferometry

6.9 Single-Photon Interference

6.10 Multiple-Beam Interference

6.10.1 The Scanning Fabry-Perot Interferometer

6.11 Interference in Multilayer Films

6.11.1 Antireflection Films

6.11.2 High-Reflectance Films

6.12 Coherence

6.12.1 Temporal Coherence

6.12.2 Spatial Coherence

6.12.3 Michelson’s Stellar Interferometer

6.12.4 Irradiance Interferometry

6.12.5 Telescope Arrays


7 Diffraction

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Huygens’ Principle

7.2.1 Babinet’s Principle

7.3 Fraunhofer Diffraction

7.3.1 Single Slit

7.3.2 Rectangular Aperture

7.3.3 Circular Aperture

7.3.4 Optical Resolution

7.3.5 More on Stellar Interferometry

7.3.6 Double Slit

7.3.7 N Slits: The Diffraction Grating

7.3.8 The Diffraction Grating

7.3.9 Fraunhofer Diffraction as a Fourier Transform

7.3.10 Apodization

7.4 Fresnel Diffraction

7.4.1 Fresnel Zones

7.4.2 Holography

7.4.3 Numerical Analysis of Fresnel Diffraction with Circular Symmetry

7.4.4 Fresnel Diffraction from Apertures with Cartesian Symmetry

7.5 Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics

7.5.1 Feynman’s Interpretation


8 Lasers

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Energy Levels in Atoms, Molecules, and Solids

8.2.1 Atomic Energy Levels

8.2.2 Molecular Energy Levels

8.2.3 Solid-state Energy Bands

8.2.4 Semiconductor Devices

8.3 Stimulated Emission and Light Amplification

8.4 Laser Systems

8.4.1 Atomic Gas Lasers

8.4.2 Molecular Gas Lasers

8.4.3 Solid-State Lasers

8.4.4 Other Laser Systems

8.5 Longitudinal Cavity Modes

8.6 Frequency Stability

8.7 Introduction to Gaussian Beams

8.8.1 Overview of Gaussian Beam Properties

8.8 Derivation of Gaussian Beam Properties

8.8.1 Approximate Solutions to the Wave Equation

8.8.2 Paraxial Spherical Gaussian Beams

8.8.3 Gaussian Beam Focusing

8.8.4 Matrix Methods and the ABCD Law

8.9 Laser Cavities

8.9.1 Laser Cavity with Equal Mirror Curvatures

8.9.2 Laser Cavity with Unequal Mirror Curvatures

8.9.3 Stable Resonators

8.9.4 Traveling Wave Resonators

8.9.5 Unstable Resonators

8.9.6 Transverse Cavity Modes


9 Optical Imaging

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Abbe Theory of Image Formation

9.2.1 Phase Contrast Microscope

9.3 The Point Spread Function

9.3.1 Coherent vs. Incoherent Images

9.3.2 Speckle

9.4 Resolving Power of Optical Instruments

9.5 Image Recording

9.5.1 Photographic Film

9.5.2 Digital Detector Arrays

9.6 Contrast Transfer Function

9.7 Spatial Filtering

9.8 Adaptive Optics

10 Nonlinear Optics and Dispersion

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Nonlinear Optics

10.3 Harmonic Generation

10.3.1 Phase Conjugation Reflection by Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing

10.4 Frequency Mixing

10.5 *Dispersion

10.5.1 Dispersion in Dielectric Media

10.5.2 Dispersion in Conducting Media

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