This course will introduce the concepts of geometrical ray optics and aberrated imaging. The first half of the course will deal exclusively with first-order geometrical optics within the small angle (paraxial) limit. We will describe basic image formation, starting with simple thin lenses and leading into larger and more complex multi-lens optical systems. Included will be the basics of ray tracing and Gaussian reduction, which are often used to reduce a series of sequential lens surfaces to a single equivalent thin-lens model. Within this scheme, the concept and utility of the marginal and chief rays within the confines of imaging will be detailed, as well as the importance of the aperture stop, entrance pupil, and exit pupil in imaging systems. Meanwhile, the second half of the course, we will overview what occurs when the paraxial (small angle) approximation is no longer valid. This will lead into our discussion of optical aberrations and aberrated imaging, what aberrations do to an image, how and why they occur, and what can be done to mitigate against these aberrations from an optical design standpoint.
The student will be able to:
1) Identify optical sub-systems within a first-order optical design, including the aperture stop, exit pupil, entrance pupil, relay lenses, intermediate image planes, field lenses, and field stops.
2) In their own words, provide the definition of the chief ray and marginal ray within an optical system, and using these rays, be able to identify stops, pupils, and image planes.
3) Perform a ray trace of a first-order optical system.
4) Reduce a system of lenses using Gaussian reduction.
5) Identify the seven major aberrations (spherical, coma, defocus, distortion, astigmatism, field curvature, and tilt) and describe, in their own words, the cause for each.
6) Sketch ray error and wave front error plots for the seven major forms of optical aberrations.
The class will be a single 75 minute lecture one day per week. Homeworks will be assigned during class and will be due at the beginning of subsequent classes. Homework will focus on the basic theory and include several design questions. Lecture tutorials will be integrated into the lectures to focus on fundamental concepts and think-pair-share questions will be offered during lecture as reinforcement.
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% |
Homeworks will be assigned each week and due the subsequent week at the beginning of class. |
| Midterm 1 |
20% |
Either in-class or take-home midterm, TBD by instructor. |
| Midterm 2 |
20% |
Either in-class or take-home midterm, TBD by instructor. |
| Final Exam |
20% |
This will likely be a final design project related to the first order optical design of an imaging system. |
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 me 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 offered up to 1 week after the specified 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: An NCSU Moodle site will be used during the semester.
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