3/24/2011

Basics of Optics - Succeed in Electro-Optics

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Basics of Optics Basics of Electro-Optics

SfC Home > Electro-Optics > Ex planation of the Basics of O ptics - Succe e d in Ele ctro-O ptics. Also re fe r to physics, physical scie nce , light, e le ctrom agne tic wave s, cre ation, controlling propagation, de te ction, se nsors, de te ctors, wave s, radio, infrare d, m icrowave s, x -rays, le nse s, mirrors, Ron Kurtus, School for Cham pions. C opyright Re strictions

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Basics of Optics
by Ron Kurtus (25 June 2006) Optic s is the branc h of physics that studies the physical properties of light. This inc ludes visible light, as well as other electromagnetic wavelengths suc h as infrared and x-rays. The three main parts of optics c onsist of the generation of electromagnetic waves, controlling the propagation of the waves, and detec tion of the energy. Questions you may have include: How are the various elec tromagnetic waves generated? How is the propagation of the waves c ontrolled? How is the energy detec ted and processed? This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
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Detection
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Generation
Long elec tromagnetic waves suc h as radio and television are usually created through the movement or oscillation of elec trons. The shorter microwaves use a special very-high frequency osc illation of electrons to create their radiation. Heated matter is a major source of radiation in the visible and near visible regions (infrared and ultraviolet). Atomic orbital effects, such as elec trons changing orbits when stimulated or struc k by other electrons, also can cause visible light emission. A fluorescent bulb and laser are examples. Very short wavelength radiation suc h as x-rays are c reated when high energy electrons collide with atoms. Gamma rays are caused by nuc lear c ollisions and reactions.

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Controlling propagation
Goals in controlling the propagation of elec tromagnetic radiation include selec tively filtering wavelengths, reduc ing the amplitude of the radiation, and c ontrolling the direction of the waves. Lenses and mirrors can be used to direct and foc us the electromagnetic waves. Glass lenses c an be used for visible light, but other materials and methods must be used for wavelength regions outside the visible. Your eye has a lens that focuses light to your retina. A major purpose of controlling propagation is to focus the radiation on a detec tor for image or information processing.

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Detection
Detection of elec tromagnetic waves can be by c hemical, mec hanic al and/or electric al reactions caused by the radiation. There are also some nuc lear reactions used to detec t radiation. Your eye detects visible light on the retina, through an electro-chemical reac tion. Older c ameras detec t light through a chemic al reaction on the photographic film. Newer digital c ameras have arrays of small detec tors that create electric al charges when radiated. X-rays c an be detected by photographic film or special digital cameras. Infrared is often detected by its property of heating matter. The heat is used to Live Your Life as a Champion: Take care of your health Seek knowledge and gain skills

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3/24/2011

Basics of Optics - Succeed in Electro-Optics

create an elec trical c urrent or can be detected through increased elec trical resistance. Mic rowaves heat matter but also c an be detected by directly causing a current. Radio waves require an antenna that creates a current when the waves strike it. Do excellent work Be valuable to others Have utmost c harac ter Be a Champion!

Summary
Optic s conc erns the study of physical properties of elec tromagnetic radiation, inc luding visible light, infrared and x-rays. The three main parts of optics c onsist of the c reation of elec tromagnetic waves, c ontrolling the propagation of the waves, and detection of the energy. See side menu for more Electro-Optics topics

See the light

Resources
The following are resources on this topic .

Web sites
Electro-Optics Resources
IR Sources Thermal sources, LEDs, lasers Instrument Grade
www.Bose le c.com

Books
Top-rated books on Optics Top-rated books on Electro-Optics

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Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. What is the most common way to create visible light? a. b. c. Ruby laser Light-emitting diode Light bulb

2. What is usually used to change the direction of a beam of radiation? a. b. c. A mirror A Fresnel lens You can't change the direction of light

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3. What is the most common use for light detectors? a. b. c. Recording an image Measuring the temperature of the sourc e Reflecting light back to its source

If you got all three correc t, you are on your way to bec oming a champion in electro-optic s. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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