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.

Wave Optics of Liesegang Rings

Abstract: Liesegang rings refract and reflect at the interface between the regions of the same gel but of different thickness. The incident and the refracted rings obey a refraction law analogous to the Snell’s law of classical optics, with a reverse of the spacing coefficient being a counterpart of the refraction index. The wavelike behavior of the rings at the interface is explained by geometrical arguments derived from the Jablczynski’s spacing principle, and is reproduced in numerical simulations based on a three-dimensional minimalistic version of the nucleation-growth model.

Modeling and characterization of the SPIDER half-wave plate

Abstract: Spider is a balloon-borne array of six telescopes that will observe the Cosmic Microwave Background. The 2624 antenna-coupled bolometers in the instrument will make a polarization map of the CMB with approximately one-half degree resolution at 145 GHz. Polarization modulation is achieved via a cryogenic sapphire half-wave plate (HWP) skyward of the primary optic. We have measured millimeter-wave transmission spectra of the sapphire at room and cryogenic temperatures. The spectra are consistent with our physical optics model, and the data gives excellent measurements of the indices of A-cut sapphire. We have also taken preliminary spectra of the integrated HWP, optical system, and detectors in the prototype Spider receiver. We calculate the variation in response of the HWP between observing the CMB and foreground spectra, and estimate that it should not limit the Spider constraints on inflation.

Optics for Engineers

Abstract: Introduction Why Optics? History Optical Engineering Electromagnetics Background Wavelength, Frequency, Power, and Photons Energy Levels and Transitions Macroscopic Effects Basic Concepts of Imaging Overview of the Book Problems Basic Geometric Optics Snell's Law Imaging with a Single Interface Reflection Refraction Simple Lens Prisms Reflective Systems Problems Matrix Optics Matrix Optics Concepts Interpreting the Results The Thick Lens Again Examples Problems Stops, Pupils, and Windows Aperture Stop Field Stop Image-Space Example Locating and Identifying Pupils and Windows Examples Problems Aberrations Exact Ray Tracing Ellipsoidal Mirror Seidel Aberrations and OPL Spherical Aberration for a Thin Lens Chromatic Aberration Design Issues Lens Design Problems Polarized Light Fundamentals of Polarized Light Behavior of Polarizing Devices Interaction with Materials Fresnel Reflection and Transmission Physics of Polarizing Devices Jones Vectors and Matrices Partial Polarization Problems Interference Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Doppler Laser Radar Resolving Ambiguities Michelson Interferometer Fabry-Perot Interferometer Beamsplitter Thin Films Problems Diffraction Physics of Diffraction Fresnel-Kirchhoff Integral Paraxial Approximation Fraunhofer Diffraction Equations Some Useful Fraunhofer Patterns Resolution of an Imaging System Diffraction Grating Fresnel Diffraction Problems Gaussian Beams Equations for Gaussian Beams Gaussian Beam Propagation Six Questions Gaussian Beam Propagation Collins Chart Stable Laser Cavity Design Hermite-Gaussian Modes Problems Coherence Definitions Discrete Frequencies Temporal Coherence Spatial Coherence Controlling Coherence Summary Problems Fourier Optics Coherent Imaging Incoherent Imaging Systems Characterizing an Optical System Problems Radiometry and Photometry Basic Radiometry Spectral Radiometry Photometry and Colorimetry Instrumentation Blackbody Radiation Problems Optical Detection Photons Photon Statistics Detector Noise Photon Detectors Thermal Detectors Array Detectors Nonlinear Optics Wave Equations Phase Matching Nonlinear Processes Appendix A Notation and Drawings for Geometric Optics Appendix B Solid Angle Appendix C Matrix Mathematics Appendix D Light Propagation in Biological Tissue Appendix E Useful Matrices Appendix F Numerical Constants and Conversion Factors Appendix G Solutions to Chapter Problems References Index

Effects of deterministic surface distortions on reflector antenna performance

Abstract: Systematic distortions of reflector antenna surfaces can cause antenna radiation patterns to be undesirably different from those of perfectly smooth reflector surfaces In this paper, a simulation model for systematic distortions is described which permits an efficient computation of the effects of distortions in the reflector pattern The model uses a vector diffraction physical optics analysis for the determination of both the co-polar and cross-polar fields An interpolation scheme is also presented for the description of reflector surfaces which are prescribed by discrete points Representative numerical results are presented for reflectors with sinusoidally and thermally distorted surfaces Finally, comparisons are made between the measured and calculated patterns of a slowly-varying distorted offset parabolic reflector

Scattering from a circular disk: a comparative study of PTD and GTD techniques

Abstract: Two groups of techniques, PTD (physical theory of diffraction) and GTD (geometric theory of diffraction), are studied by analyzing the scattering from a conducting circular disk. The authors include comparisons of calculations based on several different asymptotic high-frequency theories with the method of moments (MoM) as a baseline. The latter is treated as numerically exact. Features of particular interest include the performance at the reflection boundaries, boresight caustics, and far-angle sidelobes. The bistatic radar cross sections (RCSs) calculated by these techniques are examined. Although only far-field radiation is considered, these methods can also be used for near-field calculations. >