Understanding Optics with Python (Multidisciplinary and Applied Optics)

This volume introduces optics through the use of simulations, namely, Python. Students, researchers and engineers will be able to use Python simulations to better understand the basic concepts of optics and professors will be able to provide immediate visualisations of the complex ideas. Optics is an enabling science that forms a basis for our technological civilization. Courses in optics are a required part of the engineering or physics undergraduate curriculum in many universities worldwide. The aim of Understanding Optics with Python is twofold: first, to describe certain basic ideas of classical physical and geometric optics; second, to introduce the reader to computer simulations of physical phenomena. The text is aimed more broadly for those who wish to use numerical/computational modeling as an educational tool that promotes interactive teaching (and learning). In addition, it offers an alternative to developing countries where the necessary equipment to carry out the appropriate experiments is not available as a result of financial constraints. This approach contributes to a better diffusion of knowledge about optics. The examples given in this book are comparable to those found in standard textbooks on optics and are suitable for self-study. This text enables the user to study and understand optics using hands-on simulations with Python. Python is our programming language of choice because of its open-source availability, extensive functionality, and an enormous online support. Essentials of programming in Python 3.x, including graphical user interface, are also provided. The codes in the book are available for download on the book's website. Discusses most standard topics of traditional physical and geometrical optics through Python and PyQt5 Provides visualizations and in-depth descriptions of Python's programming language and simulations Includes simulated laboratories where students are provided a "hands-on" exploration of Python software Coding and programming featured within the text are available for download on the book's corresponding website. "Understanding Optics with Python by Vasudevan Lakshminarayanan, Hassen Ghalila, Ahmed Ammar, and L. Srinivasa Varadharajan is born around a nice idea: using simulations to provide the students with a powerful tool to understand and master optical phenomena. The choice of the Python language is perfectly matched with the overall goal of the book, as the Python language provides a completely free and easy-to-learn platform with huge cross-platform compatibility, where the reader of the book can conduct his or her own numerical experiments to learn faster and better."- Costantino De Angelis, University of Brescia, Italy "Teaching an important programming language like Python through concrete examples from optics is a natural and, in my view, very effective approach. I believe that this book will be used by students and appreciated greatly by instructors. The topic of modelling optical effects and systems where the students should already have a physical background provides great motivation for students to learn the basics of a powerful programming language without the intimidation factor that often goes with a formal computer science course." - John Dudley, FEMTO-ST Institute, Besanon, France This Book Introduces Optics Through The Use Of Simulations, Namely, Python. Students, Researchers, And Engineers Will Be Able To Use Python Simulations To Better Understand The Basic Concepts Of Optics And Professors Will Be Able To Provide Immediate Visualizations Of The Complex Ideas. Readers Will Learn Programming In Python. Throughout This Book, A Simulated Laboratory Will Be Provided Where Students Can Learn By Hands On Exploration. The Text Will Cover All The Standard Topics Of Traditional Optics.--provided By Publisher. Cover; Half Title; Title Page; Copyright Page; Dedication; Table Of Contents; Preface; Chapter 1: Introduction To Python; 1.1 Why Python?; 1.2 Python Setup; 1.2.1 Which Distribution Do We Need?; 1.2.2 Installing Anaconda; 1.2.3 The Anaconda Navigator; 1.2.3.1 How To Start Anaconda Navigator; 1.2.3.2 Jupyter/ipython Qtconsole; 1.2.3.3 Spyder; 1.3 Coding With Jupyter/ipython Qtconsole; 1.3.1 Comments; 1.3.2 Hello World!; 1.3.3 Use Python As A Calculator; 1.3.3.1 Numbers; 1.3.3.2 Values And Types; 1.3.4 Variables And Reserved Keywords; 1.3.4.1 Variables; 1.3.4.2 Keywords; 1.3.5 Container Types. 1.3.5.1 Strings1.3.5.2 Lists; 1.3.5.3 Tuples; 1.3.5.4 Dictionaries; 1.3.6 Control Structures; 1.3.6.1 Condition Checking; 1.3.6.2 The If/elif/else Construction; 1.3.6.3 The For/range Loop; 1.3.6.4 The While Loop; 1.3.6.5 Continue And Break; 1.4 Modules And Scripts; 1.4.1 Modules; 1.4.2 Write And Run Python Scripts With Spyder; 1.4.3 Defining Functions; 1.4.4 Classes; 1.5 Widely Used Python Libraries For Science And Engineering; 1.5.1 Numerical Python Library: Numpy; 1.5.1.1 Creating Numpy Arrays; 1.5.1.2 Using Array-generating Functions; 1.5.1.3 Index Slicing; 1.5.1.4 Read/write Data. 1.5.2 Data Visualization Python Library: Matplotlib1.5.2.1 Getting Started; 1.5.2.2 Multiple Axes; 1.5.2.3 Basic Text Commands; 1.5.2.4 Line And Marker Styles; 1.5.3 Scientific Python Library: Scipy; 1.5.3.1 Special Functions; 1.5.3.2 Bessel Functions; 1.5.3.3 Fresnel Integrals; 1.5.3.4 Interpolation; 1.6 Conclusion; Chapter 2: Gui Programming With Python And Qt; 2.1 First Steps In Gui Application Using Pyqt5; 2.1.1 Importing Pyqt5 And Creating A Pyqt5 Window; 2.1.2 Pyqt Classes; 2.1.2.1 Pyqt Application Structure; 2.1.2.2 Widgets, Events, And Signals; 2.1.2.3 Qlabel; 2.1.2.4 Qpushbutton. 2.1.2.5 Qspinbox2.1.2.6 Qslider; 2.2 The Qt Designer; 2.2.1 The Qt Designer Window; 2.2.2 The Property Editor; 2.2.3 Layout; 2.2.4 Qt Designer Preview; 2.2.5 Qt Ui File; 2.2.6 Matplotlib Widget; 2.2.7 An Example: Fraunhoffer Diffraction; 2.2.8 Conversion From Ui File To Python Code; 2.2.8.1 Using Line Command; 2.2.8.2 Using A Python Code; 2.2.9 The Application: Fraunhofer Diffraction; 2.3 Coding Gui Elements; 2.4 Conclusion; Chapter 3: Electromagnetic Waves; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Maxwellâ#x80;#x99;s Equations And Electromagnetic Waves; 3.3 Wave Equation; 3.4 Poynting Vector. 3.5 Phase Velocity And Group Velocity3.6 Harmonic Waves; 3.7 Python Code For Drawing A Wave; Chapter 4: Radiometry And Photometry; 4.1 Radiometry; 4.2 Photometry; Chapter 5: Fermatâ#x80;#x99;s Principle, Reflection, And Refraction; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Fermatâ#x80;#x99;s Principle; 5.3 Reflection; 5.3.1 Plane Mirrors; 5.4 Fresnel Reflection; 5.5 Refraction And Snellâ#x80;#x99;s Law; 5.5.1 Apparent Depth; 5.5.2 Glass Slab; 5.6 The Ray Equation; Chapter 6: Lenses And Mirrors; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Sign Convention; 6.3 Paraxial Approximation; 6.4 Refractive Power Of A Spherical Surface; 6.5 Focal Lengths. Vasudevan Lakshminarayanan [and Three Others]. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Optics is an enabling science that forms a basis for our technological civilization. Courses in optics are a required part of the engineering or physics undergraduate curriculum in many universities worldwide. The aim of Understanding Optics with Python is twofold: first, to describe certain basic ideas of classical physical and geometric optics; second, to introduce the reader to computer simulations of physical phenomena. The text is aimed more broadly for those who wish to use numerical/computational modeling as an educational tool that promotes interactive teaching (and learning). In addition, it offers an alternative to developing countries where the necessary equipment to carry out the appropriate experiments is not available as a result of financial constraints. This approach contributes to a better diffusion of knowledge about optics. The examples given in this book are comparable to those found in standard textbooks on optics and are suitable for self-study. This text enables the user to study and understand optics using hands-on simulations with Python. Python is our programming language of choice because of its open-source availability, extensive functionality, and an enormous online support. Essentials of programming in Python 3.x, including graphical user interface, are also provided. The codes in the book are available for download on the book's website. Discusses most standard topics of traditional physical and geometrical optics through Python and PyQt5 Provides visualizations and in-depth descriptions of Python's programming language and simulations Includes simulated laboratories where students are provided a'hands-on'exploration of Python software Coding and programming featured within the text are available for download on the book's corresponding website.'Understanding Optics with Python by Vasudevan Lakshminarayanan, Hassen Ghalila, Ahmed Ammar, and L. Srinivasa Varadharajan is born around a nice idea: using simulations to provide the students with a powerful tool to understand and master optical phenomena. The choice of the Python language is perfectly matched with the overall goal of the book, as the Python language provides a completely free and easy-to-learn platform with huge cross-platform compatibility, where the reader of the book can conduct his or her own numerical experiments to learn faster and better.'— Costantino De Angelis, University of Brescia, Italy'Teaching an important programming language like Python through concrete examples from optics is a natural and, in my view, very effective approach. I believe that this book will be used by students and appreciated greatly by instructors. The topic of modelling optical effects and systems where the students should already have a physical background provides great motivation for students to learn the basics of a powerful programming language without the intimidation factor that often goes with a formal computer science course.'— John Dudley, FEMTO-ST Institute, Besançon, France Content: Propagation of light - wave function, spherical and cylindrical waves. Inverse square law. Law of refraction. Huygen's principle. Fresnel reflection. Total internal reflection and critical angle. Chromatic dispersion. Prisms. Mirrors - plane and spherical mirrors. Power of spherical surfaces, lenses. Object/image relationships and ray tracing. Thin lens comibinations. Thick lenses and lens systems. Matrix formulation. Cylindrical lenses - interval of sturm. Superposition. Two slit and multiple slit interference. Simple interferometers - michaelson, mach zhender. Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction. Diffraction through apertures: square, rectangle, circular. diffraction: single, double, multiple slits. Resolution. Fresnel diffraction - cornu spiral. Polarization - linear, cricular, elliptical. Brewster's angle. Malus's law. Optical activity. Quarter and halfwave plates. Jones matrices. Maxwell equations, and radiometry and photometry "The aim of this book is twofold: first, to describe certain basic ideas of classical physical and geometric optics; second, to introduce the reader to computer simulations of physical phenomena."