OVERVIEW

A basic course on electromagnetic waves and optical phenomena.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge of the basic physical principles and phenomena related to electromagnetic waves.

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

- Generalities on waves

- Electromagnetic waves. Maxwell's equations. Transverse charecter of electromagnetic waves. Relation between E and B in an electromagnetic wave. Electromagnetic field energy.

- Electromagnetic waves in homogeneous media. Absorption of electromagnetic waves in a homogeneous medium.

- Reflection and transmission.  Law of Reflection and Snell's Law. Light Dispersion. Fresnel Formulas. Transmission in anisotropic media and birefringence.

- Interference. Interference of spherical waves. Michelson's interferometer

- Diffraction. Diffraction from a rectangular slit. Diffraction pattern and resolution power. Diffraction from a circular slit. .

- Geometric optics. Flat mirror. Spherical mirrors. Concave mirror. The diopter.

- The laser. Absorption, spontaneous emission and stimulated emission. Inversion of populations.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

RICCARDO FERRANDO (President)

DAVIDE COMORETTO

SERGIO DI DOMIZIO

EMANUELE FELICE PIANO

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

Exam schedule