Optics and Lasers

The course introduces laser essentials, Fourier optics, optical pulses, and laser diagnostics through lectures and practical exercises. Topics include ray optics, wave optics, optical Fourier transform, schlieren imaging, ultrafast optics and material dispersion. Optical component kits are provided for practical exercises aimed at the design and construction of an optical system to focus, collimate, and expand light beams with convex lenses, observe aberrations, perform imaging, study diffraction patterns in the rear focal plane of a convex lens, manipulate light in the Fourier domain, and use schlieren technique to visualize air flows.