Book cover for Optics

Optics

Eugene Hecht

ISBN #9780133977226

5th Edition

831 Questions

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27,176 Students Helped

Homework Questions

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Summary

Optics is a comprehensive exploration of the science of light, tracing its evolution from ancient theories and pivotal experiments by figures like Alhazen, Newton, Huygens, and Einstein to modern advances in optical communications and imaging. The book systematically builds from fundamental wave motion and electromagnetic theory to the refined study of light’s propagation, reflection, and refraction. It delves into both geometrical and Fourier optics, highlighting the mathematical and physical principles that govern phenomena such as interference, diffraction, and polarization. By bridging classical optics with modern topics like coherence, lasers, holography, and nonlinear effects, the text offers a thorough foundation and practical insight for both students and researchers in the field.

Chapters & Topics Covered

Chapter 2

Wave Motion

Chapter 3

Electromagnetic Theory, Photons, and Light

Chapter 4

The Propagation of Light

Chapter 5

Geometrical Optics

Chapter 6

More on Geometrical Optics

Chapter 7

The Superposition of Waves

Chapter 8

Polarization

Chapter 9

Interference

Chapter 10

Diffraction

Chapter 11

Fourier Optics

Chapter 12

Basics of Coherence Theory

Chapter 13

Modern Optics: Lasers and Other Topics

Popular Video Solutions

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Problem 1

Consider the plane electromagnetic wave in vacuum (in SI units) given by the expressions $E_{x}=0, E_{y}=2 \cos \left[2 \pi \times 10^{14}(t-x / c)+\right.$ $\pi / 2],$ and $E_{z}=0$ (a) What are the frequency, wavelength, direction of motion, amplitude, initial phase angle, and polarization of the wave? (b) Write an expression for the magnetic flux density.

Ajay Singhal

Ajay Singhal   Numerade Educator

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Problem 2

Show that the function $$\psi(z, t)=(z+v t)^{2}$$ is a nontrivial solution of the differential wave equation. In what direction does it travel?

Supratim Pal

Supratim Pal   Numerade Educator

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Problem 3

Show that the function $$\psi(y, t)=(y-4 t)^{2}$$ is a solution of the differential wave equation. In what direction does it travel?

Ajay Singhal

Ajay Singhal   Numerade Educator

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Problem 4

The shape of the interface pictured in Fig. P.5.1 is known as a Cartesian oval after René Descartes, who studied it in the 1600 s. It's the perfect configuration to carry any ray from $S$ to the interface to $P$. Prove that the defining equation is $\ell_{o} n_{1}+\ell_{i} n_{2}=$ constant Show that this is equivalent to $$n_{1}\left(x^{2}+y^{2}\right)^{1 / 2}+n_{2}\left[y^{2}+\left(s_{o}+s_{i}-x^{2}\right)\right]^{1 / 2}=\text { constant }$$ where $x$ and $y$ are the coordinates of point $A$.

Narayan Hari

Narayan Hari   Numerade Educator

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Problem 5

Determine the resultant of the superposition of the parallel waves $E_{1}=E_{01} \sin \left(\omega t+\varepsilon_{1}\right)$ and $E_{2}=E_{02} \sin \left(\omega t+\varepsilon_{2}\right)$ when $\omega=120 \pi$ $E_{01}=6, E_{02}=8, \varepsilon_{1}=0,$ and $\varepsilon_{2}=\pi / 2 .$ Plot each function and the resultant.

Khoobchandra Agrawal

Khoobchandra Agrawal   Numerade Educator

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Problem 6

Work your way through an argument using dimensional analysis to establish the $\lambda^{-4}$ dependence of the percentage of light scattered in Rayleigh Scattering. Let $E_{0 i}$ and $E_{0 s}$ be the incident and scattered amplitudes, the latter at a distance $r$ from the scatterer. Assume $E_{0 s} \propto E_{0 i}$ and $E_{0 s} \propto 1 / r .$ Furthermore, plausibly assume that the scattered amplitude is proportional to the volume, $V$, of the scatterer; within limits this is reasonable. Determine the units of the constant of proportionality.

Vipender Rao

Vipender Rao   Numerade Educator

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