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

EXAMS

Exam schedule