This course will overview polarization theory for applications in light-matter interactions, lithography, device fabrication, optical testing, spectroscopy and interferometry. The course will start with an introduction to the basic polarization theories of Jones matrices. Investigations will include the action of optical devices, including polarizers, waveplates, modulators (uniaxial crystals), total internal reflection, and Fresnel reflection and refraction, can be modeled with the Jones matrix formalism. This will set the framework for the second part of the course that will address Stokes and Mueller polarimetry theory. From here, the concept of the Poincare sphere will be introduced in detail, including the action of retardance, depolarization, and diattenuation. Lastly, the third part of the course will detail how the Mueller matrix formalism can be leveraged to calibrate polarization sensors, and how polarized light is quantified within a laboratory or experimental environment. This will include a discussion of applications, including ellipsometry, polarized remote sensing, and imaging polarimetry.
The learning outcomes for this course are:
1) The student will be able to model polarization interactions using the Jones, Stokes, and Mueller formalisms.
2) The student will be able to visualize Stokes and Mueller matrices on the Poinicare sphere and use this to describe the action of linear polarizers and retarders.
3) The student will be able to describe how the different components of a Mueller matrix contribute to depolarization, retardation, and diattenuation.
4) The student will be able to apply the Mueller and Stokes formalism to calibrate polarization sensors through data reduction matrices and Harmonic analysis.
5) The student will be able to describe, in their own words, optimal polarization references in the laboratory and why they are often used (e.g., total internal reflection, Fresnel reflections, etc.)
Lectures will be held once per week during a 75 minute period. Each week will be accompanied by a homework assignment. Lectures will include lecture tutorials and/or a flipped classroom model, such that interaction between the students and instructors is maximized. This will also provide an opportunity to incorporate potential laboratory demonstrates of polarization, to be determined as time permits.
Dr. Michael J Escuti (mjescuti) -
InstructorEmail: mjescuti@ncsu.edu
Web Page: http://www.ece.ncsu.edu/oleg
Phone: 919-513-7363
Office Location: Monteith Engineering Res.Ctr.
Office Hours: TBD
This course will not require students to provide their own transportation. Non-scheduled class time for field trips or out-of-class activities is NOT required for this class.
Grade Components
| Component | Weight | Details |
|---|
| Homework |
40% |
|
| Midterm 1 |
20% |
May be in-class or take-home, TBD by instructors. |
| Midterm 2 |
20% |
May be in-class or take-home, TBD by instructors. |
| Final Exam / Project |
20% |
May be in-class or take-home, or a final project. TBD by instructors. |
Letter Grades
This Course uses Standard NCSU Letter Grading:
| 97 | ≤ | A+ | ≤ | 100 |
| 93 | ≤ | A | < | 97 |
| 90 | ≤ | A- | < | 93 |
| 87 | ≤ | B+ | < | 90 |
| 83 | ≤ | B | < | 87 |
| 80 | ≤ | B- | < | 83 |
| 77 | ≤ | C+ | < | 80 |
| 73 | ≤ | C | < | 77 |
| 70 | ≤ | C- | < | 73 |
| 67 | ≤ | D+ | < | 70 |
| 63 | ≤ | D | < | 67 |
| 60 | ≤ | D- | < | 63 |
| 0 | ≤ | F | < | 60 |
Requirements for Credit-Only (S/U) Grading
Performance in research, seminar and independent study types of courses (6xx and 8xx) is evaluated as either "S" (Satisfactory) or "U" (Unsatisfactory), and these grades are not used in computing the grade point average. For credit only courses (S/U) the requirements necessary to obtain the grade of "S" must be clearly outlined.
Requirements for Auditors (AU)
Information about and requirements for auditing a course can be found at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-04.
Policies on Incomplete Grades
If an extended deadline is not authorized by the Graduate School, an unfinished incomplete grade will automatically change to an F after either (a) the end of the next regular semester in which the student is enrolled (not including summer sessions), or (b) by the end of 12 months if the student is not enrolled, whichever is shorter. Incompletes that change to F will count as an attempted course on transcripts. The burden of fulfilling an incomplete grade is the responsibility of the student. The university policy on incomplete grades is located at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-50-03. Additional information relative to incomplete grades for graduate students can be found in the Graduate Administrative Handbook in Section 3.18.F at http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/grad_publicns/handbook/
Late Assignments
Any homework handed in after the due date/time will be considered late (unless you make previous arrangements with the Professor, or can demonstrate an emergency situation before or after the due date/time). Late homework will be penalized –10% and accepted until 10:00am the day after it was originally due. In this circumstance, you may hand in the assignment in several ways: (a) deliver a hardcopy to my office in MRC; or (b) email scanned images. If you email images, do not send us cell phone photos of your homework. These often have too poor of a quality to be legible.
Attendance Policy
For complete attendance and excused absence policies, please see http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-03
Attendance Policy
"Full participation in classes, laboratory period and examinations is expected of all students . . . Instructors may use reasonable academic penalties commensurate with the importance of the work missed because of unexcused absences.”
- NCSU REG 02.2.03
If you are absent during lecture, it will significantly impact your performance on the exams. This is emphasized by the fact that you will miss out on the post-lecture tutorials, which are directly related to the exam and quiz material. In the past, students who attended class regularly typically scored 1 letter grade higher than those who did not, by virtue of these lecture tutorials and in-class voting or think-pair-share questions.
Absences Policy
Per University regulations, excused absences must fall into one of two categories: sanctioned anticipated situations and documented emergency situations. Anticipated situations (e.g., participation in official University functions, court attendance, religious observances, or military duty) must be submitted in writing at the beginning of the semester or one week prior to the anticipated absence. Emergency absences (e.g., student illness, injury or death of immediate family member, must be documented by the Student Organization Resource Center 515-3323) within one week following the emergency. Make-up work will be allowed only in situations where absences were excused. Please consult the following site for further information on University attendance regulations: http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-03
Makeup Work Policy
Makeup for university approved absences will be available for 1 week after the occurance of the excused absense. Makeup opportunities without a previously authorized excuse will not be given.
Additional Excuses Policy
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity
Students are required to comply with the university policy on academic integrity found in the Code of Student Conduct found at http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01
Academic Honesty
See http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-11-35-01 for a detailed explanation of academic honesty.
Honor Pledge
Your signature on any test or assignment indicates "I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment."
Electronically-Hosted Course Components
Students may be required to disclose personally identifiable information to other students in the course, via electronic tools like email or web-postings, where relevant to the course. Examples include online discussions of class topics, and posting of student coursework. All students are expected to respect the privacy of each other by not sharing or using such information outside the course.
Electronically-hosted Components: The course website will be hosted on NCSU's Moodle server.
Accommodations for Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, student must register with the Disability Services Office (http://www.ncsu.edu/dso), 919-515-7653. For more information on NC State's policy on working with students with disabilities, please see the Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Regulation at http://policies.ncsu.edu/regulation/reg-02-20-01.
Non-Discrimination Policy
NC State University provides equality of opportunity in education and employment for all students and employees. Accordingly, NC State affirms its commitment to maintain a work environment for all employees and an academic environment for all students that is free from all forms of discrimination. Discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation is a violation of state and federal law and/or NC State University policy and will not be tolerated. Harassment of any person (either in the form of quid pro quo or creation of a hostile environment) based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation also is a violation of state and federal law and/or NC State University policy and will not be tolerated. Retaliation against any person who complains about discrimination is also prohibited. NC State's policies and regulations covering discrimination, harassment, and retaliation may be accessed at http://policies.ncsu.edu/policy/pol-04-25-05 or http://www.ncsu.edu/equal_op/. Any person who feels that he or she has been the subject of prohibited discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 919-515-3148.
Course Schedule
NOTE: The course schedule is subject to change.
TBD