Cer 418: Optical Properties of Materials
Instructors: Richard Brow and Wayne Huebner
Time: TR, 2:05 - 3:20 p.m.
Course: The objective of this course is to give the student a fundamental
Objective: understanding of the structure«optical
property relationships exhibited by isotropic and anisotropic materials. Topics will include the wave/particle nature
of light, how light interacts with materials, color, and applications such
lasers, fiber optic communication systems, electro-optics, and integrated optics.
Homework: There will be three homework assignments, which will be graded. Reading assignments will be given throughout the semester.
Grading: 4 tests: 400 pts.
3 Homeworks: 150 pts.
ComprehensiveFinal: 150 pts.
Total: 700 pts
A≥90, 80≤B≤89, 70≤C≤79, 60≤D≤69, F≤59
Book: J. Simmons and K. Potter, Optical Properties of Materials, Academic Press, San Diego (2000).
I. Wave Propagation (3 lectures)
a. The electromagnetic spectrum
b. Dispersion
c. Kramers-Kronig Relations
d. Wave-particle duality
e. Light sources and intensity
II. Optical Properties of Conductors (1 lecture)
a. Drude Model
b. Band structure of metals
c. Coloration in metals
III. Optical Properties of Insulators: Fundamentals
(5 lectures)
a. Harmonic oscillator theory
b. Refraction
c. Dispersion
d. Reflection / transmission
e. Absorption
f. Scattering
IV. Optical Properties of Insulators: Applications
(6 lectures)
a. Thin films
b. Glasses and crystals
c. Photochroism / electrochroism
d. UV / IR glasses & crystals
e. Sources of Color
V. Luminescent Phenomena (3 lectures)
a. Lasers:
gas, chemical, solid state
b. Phosphorescence
c. Triboluminescence
d. Thermoluminescence
VI. Optical Properties of Semiconductors (1 lecture)
a. Free e’ models
b. Band structure
c. Excitons / polaritons
VII. Nonlinear
/ Anisotropic Optical Behavior
(5 lectures)
a. Kerr Effect
b. Second harmonic generation
c. Optic indicatrix
VIII. Applications
(5 lectures)
a. Integrated optics
b. CD’s
c. Liquid crystals