Physical optics

About: Physical optics is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5342 publications have been published within this topic receiving 101388 citations. The topic is also known as: wave optics.

Lagrangian-Hamiltonian formulation of paraxial optics and applications: Study of gauge symmetries and the optical spin Hall effect

Abstract: In the context of the paraxial regime, usually valid for optical frequencies and also in the microwave spectrum of guided waves, the propagation of electromagnetic fields can be analyzed through a paraxial wave equation, which is analogous to the nonrelativistic Schroedinger equation of quantum mechanics but replacing time t with spatial coordinate z. Considering that, here it is shown that for lossless media in optical frequencies it is possible to construct a Lagrangian operator with an one-to-one correspondence with nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, which allows someone to use the same mathematical methods and techniques for solving problems. To demonstrate that, we explore a few applications in optics with increasing levels of complexity. In the spirit of a Hamiltonian formulation, the ray-tracing trajectories of geometric optics in paraxial regime are obtained in a clear manner. Following that, the gauge symmetries of the optical-field Lagrangian density is discussed in a detailed way, leading to the general form of the interaction Hamiltonian. Through the use of perturbation theory, we discuss a classical analog for a quantum not gate, making use of mode coupling in an isotropic chiral medium. At last, we explore the optical spin Hall effect and its possible applications using an effectivemore » geometric optics equation derived from an interaction Hamiltonian for the optical fields. We also predict within the framework of paraxial optics a spin Hall effect of light induced by gravitational fields.« less

Optics and Vision

Abstract: List of Tables. Physical Constants. 1. Light and Vision - A Historical Perspective. 2. Production and Measurement of Light. 3. Geometrical Optics. 4. The Thick Lens. 5. Vergence and Vision. 6. Cylindrical Lenses and Astigmatism. 7. Aberration Theory. 8. Controlling Light through Optical Systems. 9. Optical Instrumentation. 10. Optics of the Eye. 11. Light as Waves. 12. Lasers and the Eye. 13. Interference Phenomena. 14. Interference Applications. 15. Polarized Light. 16. Fraunhofer Diffraction. 17. Fiber Optics. Answers to Selected Problems. Index.

Correction to "Application Of Incremental Length Diffraction Coefficients To Calculate The Pattern Effects Of The Rim And Surface Cracks Of A Reflector Antenna"

Abstract: Incremental length diffraction coefficients (ILDCs) for the half-plane are integrated around the rim of a paraboloid reflector antenna to obtain well-behaved far fields of the nonuniform current for all angles of observation. These far fields, when added to the physical optics far field, produce a more accurate total far field of the reflector. Excellent agreement with the far fields obtained from a method-of-moments solution to the electric field integral equation applied to a 20-wavelength-diameter reflector shows that the cross polarization, farther-out sidelobes, and fields near nulls of reflector antennas can be appreciably modified by the fields of the nonuniform currents. ILDCs are also used to investigate the effect of cracks on the surface of reflectors that can result from the imperfect fitting together of panels to form large reflectors. Three models of cracks are studied. Significant pattern effects are found, depending on the model and orientation of the cracks. >

Optical Traps as Force Transducers: The Effects of Focusing the Trapping Beam through a Dielectric Interface

Abstract: The use of optical forces generated by a focused laser beam for manipulating single polymer chains and colloidal particles has begun to receive increasing attention in polymer and colloid science and in biophysics. Devices based on such optical traps are increasingly used for probing the elasticity of single polymer chains and for studying the structure and mechanical behavior of biopolymers and their relation to biological activity. Colloidal forces and viscoelastic behavior of the suspending fluids can also be examined through the use of optical traps as force transducers and from the dynamics of optically bound probe particles. Such applications require a precise understanding of the trap potential and its dependence on the distance between the trap center and the glass/liquid interfaces that exist in experimental arrangements. This paper addresses some of the issues relevant to the above class of applications of optical traps using wave optics calculations. It is shown that the use of simple geometric...

Contemporary Nonlinear Optics

Abstract: Nonlinear guided wave optics, GI Stegeman optical solitons, GP Agrawal optical phase conjugation, RW Boyd and G Grynberg ultrafast nonlinear optics, IA Walmsley and JD Kafka quantum statistics in nonlinear optics, J Mostowski and MG Raymar photorefractive adaptive neural networks, JH Hong and D Psaltis nonlinear optical effects in organic materials, PN Prasad nonlinear optics in quantum confined structures, C Flytzanis and J Hutter nonlinear laser spectroscopy - saturation resonances, VP Chebotayev temporal and spatial instabilities and nonlinear dynamics in lasers and optical bistability, NB Abraham