University of Maryland

Physics 375 - Experimental Physics III - Optics

Profs. Hall and Skuja

Fall 2016

• Course info:
  
• Syllabus
  
• Schedule
• General guidelines for lab notebooks and data analysis reports
• Example data analysis report for part 1 of lab 1 is linked here.
  
• Code snippets and data files:
• data.dat
• lj_get.m
• lj_step.m
• load_labjack.m
• my_step.m
• plot_photodiode.m
• test_motor.m
• test_photodiode.m
• slow_start_and_stop.m
• Final Exam:
• The final exam will take place in your lab section during the week of Dec. 5th through 8th.
• The final exam will be written only. There is no practical portion.
• You will need a calculator. Please bring one.
• You will be given this formula sheet to use while taking the exam.
• You will have two hours to take the exam (3 pm to 5 pm).
• The exam questions will consist of short calculations and short written answers. The questions will be very similar to the types of calculations that you have done when analyzing the data from Labs 1 through 6 this semester, and the homework.
  
• Hints for studying for the exam.
• Review your lab reports.
• Review the homework.
• Homework assignments:
• Homework #1 - To be collected in lab on Sept 6 - 8. Solutions posted on elms.
  
• Homework #2 - To be collected in lecture on Monday Sept. 12th. Solutions posted on elms.
  
• Homework #3 - To be collected in lecture on Monday Sept. 26th. Solutions posted on elms.
  
• Homework #4 - To be collected in lecture on Monday Oct. 10th. Solutions posted on elms.
  
• Homework #5 - To be collected in lecture on Monday Oct. 24th. Solutions posted on elms.
  
• Homework #6 - To be collected in lecture on Monday Nov. 7th. Solutions posted on elms.
  
• Homework #7 - To be collected in lecture on Monday Nov. 28th. Solutions posted on elms.
  
• Homework solutions will be posted on ELMS.
  
• Lab Instructions:
  • The lab instructions must be purchased online:
  • Go to www.theexpertta.com/registration/ClassRegistration.aspx.
  • Enter the course code for your section:
  • 0101 (Monday section):    USH22MD-9266D8-1FX
  • 0103 (Tuesday section):    USH22MD-7AC52E-1FV
  • 0102 (Wednesday section):    USH22MD-071981-1FW
  • 0104 (Thursday section):    USH22MD-C73629-1EB
    
  • For convenience we also provide the instructions for lab zero here.
• Lecture Notes
• Lecture 1- Uncertainties, waves.
• Lecture 2 - Reflection and refraction, propagation of angular errors, linear least-squares fitting.
• Excel spreadsheet shown in lecture on Sept. 12th illustrating propagation of the uncertainty on the index of refraction is here.
  
• In class questions: Statistical and systematic uncertainties (pdf), (ppt).
• Lecture 3 - Imaging, Principle Ray Diagrams, Converging & Diverging Lenses, Thin Lens Equation.
• Also, not covered in class: Convex and Concave Mirrors, Refraction at a curved surface, as well as Correlated Errors, Lens Maker's equation, Derivation of Thin Lense Equation.
  
• Lecture 4 - Imaging recap, Gaussian beams, beam expander
  
• Lecture 5 - Polarizers, Malus' Law, s-wave and p-wave light, Brewster's angle.
• Lecture 6 - Two beam interference.
• Lecture 7 - Michelson interferometer.
• Lecture 8 - Single slit diffraction.
• Lecture 9 - Multiple slit diffraction.
• Lecture 10 - Multiple slit diffraction and diffraction gratings.
• Lecture 11 - Diffraction grating and atomic sources.
  
• Prof. Shawhan's lecture slides on the diffraction grating are here.
  
• An article about the invention of the diffraction grating by Fraunhofer is here.
• Exam Review lecture