Optics II

Academic unit or major

Undergraduate major in Materials Science and Engineering

Instructor(s)

Martin Vacha

Class Format

Lecture (Face-to-face)

Media-enhanced courses

-

Day of week/Period
(Classrooms)

1-2 Tue

Class

-

Course Code

MAT.P302

Number of credits

100

Course offered

2025

Offered quarter

1Q

Syllabus updated

Mar 28, 2025

Language

English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

In the field of optical and electronic device engineering, such as solar cells, displays or waveguides, as well as in the fields of material optical properties and functionality, the knowledge of basic principles of optics is indispensable. Following the review of the course on Optics I, this course will cover refraction and reflection of light using the Fresnel equations, and will introduce optical fibers, waveguides, and near-field optics as applications. This will be followed by introduction of the principles of optical interference and its applications such as interferometers and multi-wavelength interference. The basics of Fraunhofer diffraction on slits and circular apertures, the resolution of optical instruments, diffraction gratings and spectrometers will be explained. Finally, stimulated emission of light, lasers and their applications will be introduced. This lecture will be given in English, but important points from each slide will also be summarized in Japanese. The ratio of English to Japanese is approximately 6:4.
By studying in English, you will learn to understand technical terms and presentations in English, which will be advantageous for your future research activities.

Course description and aims

The goal of this course is to help students understand various basic and advanced optical phenomena and topics based on the knowledge of electromagnetism. Furthermore, by introducing demonstration experiments during lectures, students will develop their observation and problem-finding abilities, and acquire problem-solving skills by comparing theory and demonstration experiments.

Keywords

Interference, diffraction, principle of laser

Competencies

• Specialist skills
• Intercultural skills
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking skills
• Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

The first 20 minutes of each class will be used to review the contents of the previous class and to explain solutions of exercise problems. In the beginning of the lecture itself, demonstration experiments will sometimes be carried out, and the lecture will proceed with analysis of the observations of the phenomena from the experiment. Students are required to understand the contents of each class and review it for the next class. The lecture is given mainly in English but the most important points are reviewed and summarized in Japanese as well.

Course schedule/Objectives

Study advice (preparation and review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

E. Hecht: Optics (Addison Wesley)

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Lecture slides will be distributed after each class

Evaluation methods and criteria

Understanding of contents of the lecture and the ability to use it will be evaluated. Final exam 90%, short tests and homeworks 10%.

Related courses

• MAT.P303 ： Solid State Physics (Electrons)
• MAT.P301 ： Solid State Physics (Lattice)
• MAT.C302：Spectroscopy
• MAT.P207 ： Optics I

Prerequisites

not required

Other

The lecture is given mainly in English but the most important points of each slide are reviewed and summarized in Japanese as well. The ratio of English and Japanese used in the class is approximately 6:4, so you can take the class even if you are not completely proficient in English.