A Hands-On Introduction to Optics

Level: Introductory Length: 2 hours Format: In-Person Lecture Intended Audience: This course is for non-technical professionals working in optics and photonics, especially people transferring from other industries. The course establishes an intuitive understanding of optics based on experiential learning. No prior scientific or mathematical background is assumed. Description: Participants in this class work with optical components to establish an intuitive understanding of core optical principles such as wavelength, refraction, dispersion, diffraction, and interference. Upon completion, participants have a fundamental understanding of essential optical components, and they are well-prepared to learn more specialized topics related to specific industries. This hands-on class is limited to 16 participants. Early registration is recommended. Learning Outcomes: This course will enable you to: - describe light in a technical manner in terms of wavelength, polarization, and intensity - intuit the behavior of light due to reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference - classify basic optical components by appearance and function Instructor(s): Damon Diehl earned his Ph.D. in optical engineering at the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics and a B.A. in physics and mathematics from the University of Chicago. He is now the technology program manager at the Luminate accelerator, a startup accelerator developed specifically for companies within the optics, photonics, and imaging (OPI) industry. He teaches courses on grant-writing and basic optics, and he writes the blog "The Very Least You Need to Know about Optics". Event: SPIE Photonics West 2020 Course Held: 03 February 2020