Physics 106: Optics

Spring 2000

Prof. McNeil

Photo courtesy of Grant Halverson, Chapel Hill News Physics 106 is a junior/senior course in applied electromagnetism. It has as prerequisite Physics 107/108 (Electromagnetism I/II). In it we will cover the reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves; polarization, anisotropy, and crystal optics; geometrical optics; diffraction; interference; and modulated media. The textbook we will use is Optical Physics (3rd ed.) by Lipson, Lipson and Tannhauser (Cambridge Univ. Press 1995). There are also a number of supplementary books on reserve in Brauer Library which you should consult if you want more information.

The schedule for the course lists the reading assignments for each class meeting, the due dates for homework assignments, and the dates of the exams. In it are links to pages with detailed information about the individual assignments. There will be five homework assignments, one project consisting of a paper and an oral presentation, one in-class exam, and a final exam.

You will also explore some of the optical phenomena we study through the use of Web-based simulations designed at Mississippi State Univ. by The Optics Project (TOP) . More information about the simulations will be given in class and through links from the schedule .

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