Course detail

Physical Optics

FIT-FYOAcad. year: 2025/2026

Electromagnetic waves and light. Fresnel's equations. Reflection at dielectric and metallic surfaces, polarization. Coherence, interference from thin films. Diffraction by 2D and 3D structures. Holography, holography code, reconstruction of optic field. Transmission of light through media. Dispersion, absorption. Scattering. Thermal radiation. Elements of image-forming systems. Analytical ray tracing. Matrix concept. Errors in image forming. Quantum mechanical principles of radiation. Spectra of atoms and molecules. Physical statistics. Photon. Stimulated and spontaneous emission. Lasers. The basis of luminiscence. Radioactive radiation.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Petr Sedlák, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Physics (UFYZ)

Entry knowledge

Fundamentals of physics at secondary school level 

 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

  • Mid-term exam - up to 10 points
  • Project - up to 30 points
  • Written exam - up to 60 points

Aims

To learn the basic principles of the physical optics needed for computer graphics. Extend the general knowledge of optics and get acquainted with the modern optics. To learn how to apply the gathered knowledge on real tasks. To get acquainted with further physics principles important for computer graphics.
The students will learn the basic principles of the physical optics needed for computer graphics. They will extend their general knowledge of optics and get acquainted with the modern optics. They will also learn how to apply the gathered knowledge on real tasks. Finally, they will get acquainted with further physics principles important for computer graphics.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Hecht, E., Zajac, A.: Optics, Addison-Wesley, Reading, UK, 1977, ISBN 0-201-02835-2
Saleh, B. E. A, Teich, M. C.: Fundamentals of Photonics, Wiley 2007, USA, 978-0-471-35832-9
Schroeder, G.: Technická optika, SNTL, Praha, ČR, 1981

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme MITAI Master's

    specialization NSEC , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NNET , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NMAL , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NCPS , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NHPC , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NVER , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NIDE , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    specialization NISY , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NSPE , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NEMB , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NBIO , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NSEN , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NVIZ , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NGRI , 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    specialization NADE , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NISD , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective
    specialization NMAT , 0 year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Petr Sedlák, Ph.D.

Syllabus

  1. Electromagnetic waves and light.
  2. Light at the interface of two media, Fresnel's equations. Reflection at dielectric and metallic surfaces, linear and elliptical polarization. Polarizers.
  3. Coherence. Interference from thin films. Interference filters. The Fabry-Perot interferometer.
  4. Diffraction by edges, slits, gratings and 2D and 3D structures. Holography.
  5. Transmission of light through media. Dispersion, spectrometers, rainbow. Absorption. Scattering.
  6. Thermal radiation. Energy and light quantities. Receptors, human eye. Spectral sensitivity of receptors. Filters and color dividers.
  7. Elements of image-forming systems. Mirrors, prisms, lenses, the microscope, the telescopes. The Fermat principle.
  8. Analytical ray tracing. Matrix concept. Aperture and field stops. Magnification, resolving power. Errors in image forming. Notes on fiber optics.
  9. The quantum mechanical concept of radiation. The wave function, the Schroedinger equation, the uncertainty principle. The tunnel effect.
  10. Energy levels, the Pauli exclusion principle, energy bands. Spectra of atoms and molecules. Selection rules.
  11. Physical statistics. Photon. Stimulated and spontaneous emission. Inversion population. Lasers.
  12. The basics of luminiscence, phosphors, fluorescence, phosphorescence.
  13. Radioactive radiation.

Seminar

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Petr Sedlák, Ph.D.

Syllabus

    1. Electromagnetic waves and light.
    2. Light at the interface of two media, Fresnel's equations. Reflection at dielectric and metallic surfaces, linear and elliptical polarization. Polarizers.
    3. Coherence. Interference from thin films. Interference filters. The Fabry-Perot interferometer.
    4. Diffraction by edges, slits, gratings and 2D and 3D structures. Holography.
    5. Transmission of light through media. Dispersion, spectrometers, rainbow. Absorption. Scattering.
    6. Thermal radiation. Energy and light quantities. Receptors, human eye. Spectral sensitivity of receptors. Filters and color dividers.
    7. Elements of image-forming systems. Mirrors, prisms, lenses, the microscope, the telescopes. The Fermat principle.
    8. Analytical ray tracing. Matrix concept. Aperture and field stops. Magnification, resolving power. Errors in image forming. Notes on fiber optics.
    9. The quantum mechanical concept of radiation. The wave function, the Schroedinger equation, the uncertainty principle. The tunnel effect.
    10. Energy levels, the Pauli exclusion principle, energy bands. Spectra of atoms and molecules. Selection rules.
    11. Physical statistics. Photon. Stimulated and spontaneous emission. Inversion population. Lasers.
    12. The basics of luminiscence, phosphors, fluorescence, phosphorescence.
    13. Radioactive radiation.
 

Project

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Petr Sedlák, Ph.D.

Syllabus

Individually assigned projects; it is expected that the "programming part" of the assignment will be consulted and evaluated in other course (more computer science oriented).