Learning objective
Derive the laws of reflection and refraction from the boundary conditions and Fermat's principle.
Calculate the intensities of the reflected and refracted beams using the Fresnel formulas.
Understand the conditions for total internal reflection and Brewster's angle.
Study the physical basis and applications of fibre optics.
Expected outcomes
Calculates the angle of refraction, the critical angle and Brewster's angle using Snell's law.
Finds the reflectance at normal and oblique incidence using the Fresnel formulas.
Calculates the numerical aperture of a fibre and explains how it works.
Constructs and calculates ray paths in a thin lens and a prism.
Activities
Lecture
Lecture · 55 min ·
required
Geometrical optics. Ray paths in lenses and prisms. The law of reflection and refraction of light. Fresnel equations. Amplitudes and intensities of reflected and refracted waves.
Practice · 55 min ·
required
Study of the laws of reflection and refraction of light
Laboratory · 1 h 20 min ·
optional
Determination of the refractive index of a medium
Laboratory · 1 h 20 min ·
optional
Fibre optics and its role in communication systems
Self-study · 4 h 25 min ·
optional
Final test
Test · 20 min ·
required
· pass ≥ 70%
Completion conditions
- Lecture
- Geometrical optics. Ray paths in lenses and prisms. The law of reflection and refraction of light. Fresnel equations. Amplitudes and intensities of reflected and refracted waves.
- Final test — at least 70%