PHYS3003 Light and Matter

Module Overview

The course provides an introduction to modern optical physics to arm students with a basic knowledge of light-matter interactions, electro-optics and nonlinear optics. It aims to provide a fundamental base for understanding the techniques and technologies of photonics and experimental quantum optics, while also drawing together and developing many more basic and beautiful aspects of physics.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

polarization and vector properties of light
elementary classical and quantum mechanical microscopic models of the light-matter interaction process
light propagation in isotropic, anisotropic and nonlinear media crystal optics, metal optics, and polarizing devices
electro- and magneto-optical effects and devices
major phenomena of nonlinear optics such as harmonic generation

Syllabus

The Maxwell and wave equations in media; forced oscillation and resonant optical response; the Lorentz dispersion theory; causality and the Kramers-Kronig relations. Light as a vector field; polarized and unpolarized light; Jones vectors, Stokes parameters and Müller matrices; the energy, momentum and angular momentum of an electromagnetic wave Introduction to quantum optics and the two state atom approximation using Dirac notation; Rabi oscillations Controlling light with matter: plane waves in an anisotropic crystal; birefringence, optical activity and polarizing devices Controlling light with electric and magnetic fields, the electro-optical Pockels and Kerr effects, the magneto-optical Faraday effect Controlling light with light: nonlinear optical response of a forced molecular oscillator; basic nonlinear optical phenomena; harmonic generation.

Learning and Teaching

Type	Hours
Lecture	36
Completion of assessment task	2
Revision	10
Preparation for scheduled sessions	18
Wider reading or practice	66
Follow-up work	18
Total study time	150

Resources & Reading list

E. Hecht (2001). Optics.

Richard Feynman. Lectures in Physics Vol. 2.

O Svelto (1998). Principles of Lasers.

Mark Fox (2006). Quantum Optics.

Assessment

Summative

Method	Percentage contribution
Final Assessment	100%

Repeat

Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Referral

Method	Percentage contribution
Set Task	100%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

Linked modules

Pre-requisites: PHYS2001 AND PHYS2003 AND PHYS2006 AND PHYS2023 AND PHYS2024