- Docente: Carmela Lardo
- Credits: 7
- SSD: FIS/05
- Language: Italian
- Moduli: Carmela Lardo (Modulo 1) Gabriele Umbriaco (Modulo 2) Bruno Marano (Modulo 3)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2) Traditional lectures (Modulo 3)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Astronomy (cod. 8004)
-
from Feb 21, 2024 to May 31, 2024
Learning outcomes
Provide the student with a basic knowledge of geometrical and wave optics, with specific application to astronomical instrumentation and observations. Provide the student with the capability of evaluating the performances of simple optical systems.
Course contents
- Light and electromagnetic radiation.
- Geometrical optics: reflection, refraction, absorption, dispersion. Atmospheric absorption and dispersion.
- Thin lenses. Mirrors. Image formation.
- Optical aberrations: chromatic, spherical, astigmatism, coma, distortion.
- Optical instruments: eye, loupe, spyglass, microscope.
- Telescopes: scale, field, luminosity. Newtonian, Cassegrain, Gregorian, Schmidt telescopes.
- Introduction to the Fourier Tranform.
- Wave optics, Huygens-Fresnel principle. Interference and diffraction.
- Resolution of an optical system. PSF. Sampling.
- Light polarization.
- The "Seeing".
- Modern X-ray, optical, radio- telescopes on earth and in space (introductory notes).
- Optical lab.: Lenses and mirrors. Slit and wedge diffraction. Michelson interferometer. Polarisation.
Readings/Bibliography
Suggested:
Eugene Hecht - Optics - Addison Wesley. Very good reference textbook, more extended than the course.
Or: Halliday, Resnick e Krane, Physics II, Wiley.
- PDF of presentations used in the lectures
- Selection of problems
- instruction for the lab activity
are also available on IOL.
Teaching methods
Mostly conventional lectures on theory, integrated by solution of problems and simple experiments. Further exercises are suggested to the students for personal training.
Optical lab (in presence): Assembly of optical systems on bench; related measurements (lenses, mirror, interference, diffraction).
Assessment methods
- evaluation of the lab activity report;
- final oral exam.
Teaching tools
Blackboard, videoprojector. TEAMS virtual classroom. Optical laboratory.
Office hours
See the website of Carmela Lardo
See the website of Gabriele Umbriaco
See the website of Bruno Marano