Basic Optics for Engineers

Level: Introductory Length: 8 hours Format: Online Intended Audience: This class is intended for engineers, technicians, and managers who need to understand and apply basic optics concepts in their work. The basics in each of the areas are covered, and are intended for those with little or no prior background in optics, or for those who need a fundamental refresher course. Description: This course introduces each of the following basic areas of optics, from an engineering point of view: geometrical optics, image quality, flux transfer, sources, detectors, and lasers. Basic calculations and concepts are emphasized. Learning Outcomes: This course will enable you to: - compute the following image properties: size, location, fidelity, brightness - estimate diffraction-limited imaging performance - explain optical diagrams - describe the factors that affect flux transfer efficiency, and their quantitative description - compute the spectral distribution of a source - describe the difference between photon and thermal detectors - calculate the signal to noise performance of a sensor (D* and noise equivalent power) - differentiate between sensitivity and responsivity - explain the main factors of laser beams: monochromaticity, collimation, and propagation - Module 1: Introduction to Light - explain what the electromagnetic spectrum is - define light - describe how light is generated - list the basic properties of light - Module 2: Interference and Diffraction - define light as a wave - explain how light waves interfere - explain how an anti-reflection coating works - describe what diffraction is - Module 3: Geometrical Optics - describe light behavior using rays - define reflection and refraction - perform calculations for a basic imaging system - define aberrations - Module 4: Radiometry - define radiometry - calculate flux transfer through an optical system - describe a Lambertian Radiator - Module 5: Thermal Sources of Radiation - describe the light spectrum emitted by a warm object - explain how to use Planck's equation - explain emissivity as it is related to thermal sources - Module 6: Optical Performance Measurements - define Modulation Transfer Function - explain how Modulation Transfer Function is measured - describe Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD) - describe Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference (MRTD) - Module 7: Detectors - describe what an optical detector is - explain the differences between photon and thermal detectors - describe the characteristics used to specify detectors - describe how noise is defined and minimized in an optical system - Module 8: Lasers - describe the operation characteristics of a laser - explain how a laser generates light - describe how the output of a laser is defined and measured - explain the differences between common laser types Instructor(s): Alfred D. Ducharme is a professor of optics and electrical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Central Florida. He received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts - Lowell, and both a M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Central Florida - School of Optics (CREOL). Dr. Ducharme is the Program Coordinator for the 4-year undergraduate program in Photonics (BSEET-Photonics) offered by the Engineering Technology Department.