Waves and Optics (Theory)

Paper Code: 
25CPHY411
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 
Course Objectives: 
This course will enable the students to- 
• Familiarize with motion of different types of oscillators and also with wave motion in different medium. 
• develop abilities and skill to solve problems related to waves and oscillations.
 
Course Outcomes: 

Course Outcomes (COs):

 

Course

Learning outcome

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course  Code

Course Title

25CPHY411

Waves and Optics

(Theory)

CO61: Develop a comprehensive understanding of simple harmonic motion and damped harmonic oscillators and also solve their differential equations also.

CO62: Explain the solutions and describe the behavior of a damped, driven and coupled harmonic oscillator in both time and frequency domains.

CO63:Elaborate concept of  Fourier series and Solve wave equation and understand significance of electromagnetic waves .

CO64: develop Knowledge of interference and understand Young’s double slit experiment, Newton’s rings, Michelson interferometer and its Applications.

CO65: Demonstrate basic concepts of Diffraction and compare Fraunhoffer and Fresnel Diffraction and  Gain the Knowledge of electromagnetic waves, Polarization and Optical activity to solve the problems.

CO66: Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Power point presentation,  Demonstration, problem solving  in tutorials

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Solving numericals

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems, Assignments, Presentations

 

12.00
Unit I: 
SHM and Damped Harmonic Oscillator:

Simple harmonic and damped oscillator: Simple harmonic motion, Differential equation of simple harmonic motion. Damped harmonic oscillator, Mathematical formulation of damped harmonic oscillator, Energy of damped oscillator, Power dissipation, Relaxation time, Quality factor of damped harmonic oscillator.

12.00
Unit II: 
Driven harmonic oscillator and coupled oscillators:
Driven harmonic oscillator, Mathematical formulation of driven harmonic oscillator, Frequency response on amplitude and phase, Quality factor of driven oscillator, Resonance, Sharpness of resonance, Power absorption by forced oscillator.
Equation of motion of two coupled simple harmonic oscillators, Energy transfer between modes.
12.00
Unit III: 
Fourier analysis and wave motion:

Fourier theorem and its proof, limitations of Fourier theorem, Fourier Analysis of square and sawtooth waveforms. Wave equation, Transverse waves in a string, Elastic waves in a solid rod, Pressure waves in a gas column, Plane electromagnetic waves, Energy and Momentum of EM waves, Radiation pressure, and Radiation resistance of free space.

12.00
Unit IV: 
Interference:
Division of amplitude and division of wavefront. Young’s Double Slit experiment. Lloyd’s Mirror and Fresnel’s Biprism. Phase change on reflection: Stokes’ treatment. Interference in Thin Films: parallel and wedge-shaped films. Fringes of equal inclination (Haidinger Fringes); Fringes of equal thickness (Fizeau Fringes). Newton’s Rings: measurement of wavelength and refractive index.
Michelson’s Interferometer: Idea of form of fringes (no theory needed), Determination of wavelength, Wavelength difference, Refractive index and Visibility of fringes.
12.00
Unit V: 
Diffraction and Polarization:
Fraunhofer diffraction: Single slit; Double Slit. Multiple slits & Diffraction grating. Fresnel Diffraction: Half-period zones. Zone plate. Fresnel Diffraction pattern of a straight edge, a slit and a wire using half-period zone analysis.
Transverse nature of light waves. Plane polarized light – production and analysis. Circular and elliptical polarization.
 
Essential Readings: 
• “The Physics of Waves and Oscillations”, N.K.Bajaj, Tata Mc Graw Hill Publishing Co., 2003.
• “Oscillations, waves and electromagnetism”, Satya Prakash, Pragati Prakashan, Meerut.
• “Fundamental University Physics”, Vol  I and II , M.Alonso & J.Finn, Addisson Wiesley.
• “Vibrations and Waves”, A.P. French, CBS Publication and Distributors.
• “Berkeley Physics Course”, Vol. I , New York, Mc Graw Hill.
• “A textbook of Optics”, Brijlal and Subramaniam, S.Chand  & Company Ltd.,23rd edition.
• “LASERS: Theory and Applications”, K.Thyagrajan, A.K.Ghatak, Macmillan India Ltd.
• “Optics”, Ajoy Ghatak ,Tata Mc Graw Hill Pub.Co. Ltd, 2007.
 
 
References: 
Suggested Readings:
• “Vibrations and waves”, I.G. Main ,Cambridge University  Press.
• “The Physics of Vibrations and Waves”, H.J.Pani, John Wiley & Sons.
• “Fundamentals of vibrations and Waves”, S.P.Puri, Tata Mc. Graw Hill Pub. Co.,NewDelhi.
• “Oscillations and Waves”,K.S.Sharma, M.K.Saxena and G.R.Chhabra ,Rajasthan Hindi Granth Academy, Jaipur.
• “Waves and Oscillations”,N.Subramanyam,Vikas Publishing house.
• “Essentials of Lasers and non-linear Optics”,G.D.Baruah, Pragati Prakashan, Meerut.
•  “Text books of Optics and Atomic Physics”, D.P. Khandelwal, Himalaya Publishing House.
•  “Physics Part II”, D.Halliday and R.Resnick, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Newyork.
 
  E-Content:
 
Academic Year: 
2025-2026
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