P2 Optics Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the P2 Optics lecture.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Wavelength

The distance between successive crests of a wave, typically measured in meters.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Wavelength

The distance between successive crests of a wave, typically measured in meters.

Polarization

The orientation of the oscillations of a light wave, typically characterized as linear, circular, or elliptical.

Interference

The phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves superimpose, resulting in a new wave pattern.

Diffraction

The bending of waves around obstacles and openings, which can lead to the spreading of waves.

Huygens Principle

A method for analyzing wave propagation that states every point on a wavefront can be considered a source of secondary wavelets.

Michelson interferometer

An instrument used to measure light interference and wavelengths by splitting a beam of light into two paths.

Rayleigh’s criterion

A criterion for determining the resolution limit of optical instruments, based on the diffraction of light.

Unpolarised light

Light that consists of waves vibrating in random directions.

Transverse wave

A wave in which the oscillation or movement is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.