Optical Efficiency and Resolution

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/optical-efficiency-and-resolution

Introduction

### Course Review: Optical Efficiency and Resolution on Coursera If you are an aspiring engineer or scientist, particularly in the field of optical engineering, the course "Optical Efficiency and Resolution" offered on Coursera is an invaluable resource. This course not only provides a comprehensive understanding of optical systems but also allows students to gain academic credit as ECEA 5601, which is part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. #### Overview of the Course Optical instruments play a crucial role in our daily lives, influencing how we perceive the world around us—from corrective eyewear and medical endoscopes to the camera on your phone and sophisticated space telescopes. This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to design and analyze these optical systems through simple mathematical and graphical techniques. The curriculum is structured to guide students from foundational concepts to advanced topics, making it suitable for both beginners and those with existing knowledge in optics. #### Syllabus Breakdown 1. **Geometrical Optics for Gaussian Beams**: The course begins with an introduction to Gaussian beams, a crucial concept in understanding how light propagates within optical systems. This module builds on first-order optical system design using rays, which is essential for the preliminary stages of optical imaging system design. 2. **Maxwell's Equations**: Students will delve into the fundamentals of electromagnetic theory to understand optical processes more deeply. The module covers plane and spherical waves, as well as reflection and refraction, providing a solid foundation for understanding the complex mechanics of light. 3. **Impulse Responses and Transfer Functions**: This module introduces Fourier Optics, which is vital for determining the resolution of an imaging system. Students will explore Fourier Transforms and the differences between coherent and incoherent systems, integrating practical tools like OpticStudio to visualize these concepts in application. 4. **Finite Aperture Optics**: Building on previous modules, this section addresses how to apply the concepts of pupils and resolution in first-order optical design systems. It discusses the implications of aperture on imaging properties, consolidating the learner's ability to innovate in optical design. 5. **Radiometry**: The final module shifts focus from resolution to light transmission, addressing critical questions regarding the efficiency of optical systems. By learning about radiometry, students will understand how to assess light flow through different optical components, significantly enhancing their system design capabilities. #### Recommendations "Optical Efficiency and Resolution" is highly recommended for: - **Students and Professionals in Optical Engineering**: This is an excellent course for those pursuing graduate studies or careers in optics as it combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications. - **Interdisciplinary Learners**: If you are from a physics, engineering, or even medical background and wish to transition into optical engineering, the course offers a rigorous yet accessible entry point. - **Hands-On Practitioners**: The inclusion of practical software tools like OpticStudio makes this course ideal for those looking to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world design challenges. #### Conclusion The course "Optical Efficiency and Resolution" on Coursera serves as a robust platform for anyone eager to master the intricate field of optical systems. With its well-structured syllabus, expert-led instruction, and the possibility of earning academic credit, it strikes a remarkable balance between theory and application. I would highly recommend enrolling in this course to enhance your understanding and make significant strides in the world of optics. Whether for personal development or academic advancement, this course promises to broaden your horizons in optical engineering.

Syllabus

Geometrical Optics for Gaussian Beams

First order optical system design using rays is useful for the initial design of an optical imaging system, but does not predict the energy and resolution of the system. This module introduces Gaussian beams, a specific example of how the shape of the light evolves in an imaging system.

This module provides the background for the full electro-magnetic field description of optical systems, including a description of plane and spherical waves and a formal treatment of reflection and refraction from this perspective. We start out with a quick review of the mathematical background for this description. This will be fairly short, but you may want to spend some more time reviewing these concepts on your own if you have not seen them for a while.

This module provides an introduction to the basics of Fourier Optics, which are used to determine the resolution of an imaging system. We will discuss a few Fourier Transforms that show up in standard optical systems in the first subsection and use these to determine the system resolution, and then discuss the differences between coherent and incoherent systems and impulse responses and transfer functions in the second subsection. We will wrap up with a discussion of these concepts using OpticStudio.

This module takes the concepts of pupils and resolution that we have discussed in the previous modules and works through how to apply them to our first-order optical design systems. We start with a description of how to find the system pupils and windows, then move on to a discussion of how that affects the imaging properties of this system, and finally return to the Lagrange invariant and its utility in optical system design.

One of the main questions you ask when designing an optical system is "How much light can I get through the system?" In this last section of new content for this course, we move from talking about resolution to talking about the amount of light we expect at each point in the optical system, a field of study called radiometry.