An Introduction to Optics: The Science of Light

Optics I

In this course Professor Charles Adams (Durham University) gives an introduction to optics for GCSE students. In the first mini-lecture, we explore the big picture of optics, defining it broadly as the science of light, seeking to understand light as a wave, and concluding with some impacts and applications of optics. In the second mini-lecture, we explore the concept of light rays, their historical developments dating back to the tenth century, and some of their properties such as refraction, reflection, and absorption. In the third mini-lecture, we delve deeper into refraction and reflection as we introduce the concept of the index of refraction of optical mediums, look at examples, and play around with some simulators to mimic these effects. The fourth mini-lecture turns towards lenses, including important historical developments, how a lens works, and the power of a lens. The fifth mini-lecture explores imaging, addressing the question of how to make a better lens, the limitations of the lens, and how our improved understanding of optics and lenses led to advances in areas such as microscopy and medicine.

An Introduction to Optics: The Science of Light

In this mini-lecture, we introduce the big picture of optics. As we move through this mini-lecture we: (i) recall that light is a wave with a wavelength and frequency as seen in the electromagnetic spectrum; (ii) discuss where light comes from, such as the sun, fire and candles, and eventually electric light bulbs and lasers; (iii) highlight the fundamental impacts of optics on microscopy, astronomy, quantum physics; and (iv) discuss applications of optics such as polarisation, x-ray crystallography, optical networks, and precision measurements (laser interferometer and atomic clock).