615.751.81 - Modern Optics

Applied Physics
Fall 2024

Description

This course covers the fundamental principles of modern physical optics and contemporary optical systems. Topics include propagation of light, polarization, coherence, interference, diffraction, Fourier optics, absorption, scattering, dispersion, and image quality analysis. Special emphasis is placed on the instrumentation and experimental techniques used in optical studies.

Instructor

Profile photo of William Torruellas.

William Torruellas

william.torruellas@jhuapl.edu

Course Structure

Course consist of 13 modules with 7 modules requiring homework to be turned back to the instructor 2 weeks after they have been assigned.  The homework prepares the students for the final exam.  the final exam is typically given as a take home exam due the last week of the class. The additional modules provide information material for the student and also guide the student in the preparation of the project, for those modules the student will be required to turn in the topic of their individual project, a short bibliography, an outline of the project and the power-point presentation with a recorded delivery.  During the last week of class the students will be required to turn in their projects as a scientific review paper of the topic of their choice and associated recordings AND the final exam as well as the last homework set. 

Course Topics

Course Goals

The principal goal of this class is to familiarize the student with modern optical concepts derived from key developments in the optical field over the last half century, namely: Lasers, fiber and optical waveguides, interaction of light and matter in the linear and nonlinear regimes, modern optical detection and finally optical design improvement aided by computers. A secondary goal of the class is for students to interact with all members of the class and not just the instructor. Homework is assigned on a bi-weekly basis to facilitate the interaction between students and a semester long individual review paper also assigned to improve the student ability to communicate his understanding of a new area of optics to a broad community.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Textbooks

Required Software

MATLAB

Not required but you might want to access to a recent version of MATLAB. A license is provided at no cost to you, through JHU.

Visit the JHU IT Services Portal. Log in with your JHED ID and type “Matlab” in the search bar. Click on “Matlab for Students” in the search results and follow the instructions provided.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 9–12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 3–4 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, participating in the virtual life session and reviewing slide presentations (approximately 3-4 hours per week), and writing assignments (approximately 3–4 hours per week).

Grading Policy

Assignments are due according to the dates posted in your Blackboard course site. You may check these due dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. I/We will post grades one week after assignment due dates.

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade.

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week.

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10).


Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Item

% of Grade

Participation in Discussions

15%

Assignments

35%

Course Review Paper + Presentation

25% (15% + 10%)

Exam Final

25%

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.