Thin-Film Interference: Nature’s Iridescent Palette
Thin-film interference occurs when light reflects off the upper and lower boundaries of a thin layer—like soap bubbles, oil slicks,
Optical Path Length: Effective Distance Light Travels
Optical path length (OPL) is defined as the product of the geometric length a light ray travels and the refractive
Fresnel Zones: Interference in Wave Propagation
Fresnel zones are concentric ellipsoidal regions between a transmitter and receiver that help determine whether waves interfere constructively or destructively
Retarders (Wave Plates): Controlling Light Phase
Retarders, also called wave plates, are optical devices that alter the phase difference between two perpendicular polarization components of a
Polarizers: Filtering Light by Orientation
Polarizers are optical devices that allow only light waves with a specific electric field orientation (polarization) to pass through, blocking
Phase Velocity: Speed of Wave Crests
Phase velocity is the speed at which the individual phase fronts (like the crests or troughs) of a wave travel
Group Velocity: Speed of Information or Energy in a Wave Packet
Group velocity is the speed at which the envelope of a wave packet (which can carry information or energy) travels
Dispersion in Optics: Spreading of Light Pulses
Dispersion in optics occurs when the refractive index of a material varies with wavelength, causing different colors or spectral components
Single-Mode Fibers: Precision Light Transmission
Single-mode optical fibers are designed to allow only one path (or mode) of light to propagate through the fiber core.
Optical Fibers: Light Transmission via Total Internal Reflection
Optical fibers are thin strands of glass or plastic that transmit light over long distances by exploiting a principle called