Optics
Graduate · Physics
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Electromagnetic optics
- Monochromatic plane waves and polarization
- Angular spectrum propagation
- Gaussian beams and ABCD matrices
- Resonators and laser modes
- Anisotropic media and biaxial crystals
Coherence and statistical optics
- Mutual coherence function
- Van Cittert–Zernike theorem
- Partial coherence in imaging
- Speckle statistics
- Photon correlation measurements
Nonlinear and quantum optics
- Second-harmonic generation and phase matching
- Kerr effect and self-focusing
- Four-wave mixing and OPOs
- Quantum states of light (squeezed, Fock)
- Cavity QED experiments (overview)
STEM / applied
Photonic systems
- Integrated photonics and silicon nitride
- Ultrafast lasers and pulse shaping
- Optical coherence tomography systems
- Free-space optical communications
- Metasurface design and fabrication
Instrumentation labs
- Interferometric precision metrology
- Spectral phase interferometry
- Adaptive optics loop design
- Detector calibration for radiometry
- Laser safety in research environments
Industry and research
- Patents in photonics startups
- Telecom standards and modulation formats
- Astronomical instrument commissioning
- Defense sensing applications
- Open-source optics design tools
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Electromagnetic optics
Monochromatic plane waves and polarization
Coming soon - Coherence and statistical optics
Mutual coherence function
Coming soon - Nonlinear and quantum optics
Second-harmonic generation and phase matching
Coming soon - Photonic systems
Integrated photonics and silicon nitride
Coming soon - Instrumentation labs
Interferometric precision metrology
Coming soon - Industry and research
Patents in photonics startups
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common graduate physics core and elective syllabi at US universities. Sequencing and emphasis vary between one- and two-semester treatments.