Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Spatial Frequencies and Wave Propagation

In course

PHYS-317: Optics I

L'optique est un vieux domaine qui touche à beaucoup de sujets modernes, des techniques expérimentales aux applications courantes. Ce premier cours traite plusieurs aspects de base de l'optique: propagation, dispersion, interférence, diffraction, polarisat ...

Description

This lecture covers the concept of spatial frequencies in optics, explaining how they are related to plane waves and diffraction phenomena. It delves into the decomposition of transparency using Fourier transforms, the propagation of spatial frequencies, and the diffraction of Fresnel and Fraunhofer. The transfer function for image propagation, the Fresnel lens effect, and the 2f optical system are also discussed, along with the double Fourier transform and filtering techniques in optical systems.

Instructor

Benjamin Dwir

Academic title: Dr. Birth date: 24.10.1959 Nationality: Swiss At EPFL since: 1988

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Diffraction

Diffraction is the interference or bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle or through an aperture into the region of geometrical shadow of the obstacle/aperture. The diffracting object or aperture effectively becomes a secondary source of the propagating wave. Italian scientist Francesco Maria Grimaldi coined the word diffraction and was the first to record accurate observations of the phenomenon in 1660.

Fraunhofer diffraction

In optics, the Fraunhofer diffraction equation is used to model the diffraction of waves when plane waves are incident on a diffracting object, and the diffraction pattern is viewed at a sufficiently long distance (a distance satisfying Fraunhofer condition) from the object (in the far-field region), and also when it is viewed at the focal plane of an imaging lens. In contrast, the diffraction pattern created near the diffracting object and (in the near field region) is given by the Fresnel diffraction equation.

Fresnel diffraction

In optics, the Fresnel diffraction equation for near-field diffraction is an approximation of the Kirchhoff–Fresnel diffraction that can be applied to the propagation of waves in the near field. It is used to calculate the diffraction pattern created by waves passing through an aperture or around an object, when viewed from relatively close to the object. In contrast the diffraction pattern in the far field region is given by the Fraunhofer diffraction equation. The near field can be specified by the Fresnel number, F, of the optical arrangement.

Fourier transform

In physics and mathematics, the Fourier transform (FT) is a transform that converts a function into a form that describes the frequencies present in the original function. The output of the transform is a complex-valued function of frequency. The term Fourier transform refers to both this complex-valued function and the mathematical operation. When a distinction needs to be made the Fourier transform is sometimes called the frequency domain representation of the original function.

Optics

Optics is the branch of physics that studies the behaviour and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. Optics usually describes the behaviour of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light. Because light is an electromagnetic wave, other forms of electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays, microwaves, and radio waves exhibit similar properties.

Related lectures (31)

Beamlines: Elements of Front Ends and Optics

Explores the basic elements of optics theory, edge diffraction, and limits to focusing light.

Electromagnetic Waves: Reflection, Refraction, and Interference

Explores electromagnetic waves, wave optics, interference, and diffraction phenomena in experimental physics II.

Introduction to Optics: Light and Waves

Introduces fundamental optics concepts, covering refraction, reflection, interference, polarization, and more, exploring the behavior of light in different media.

Electromagnetic Waves: Principles and Applications

Covers the principles of electromagnetic waves, including wave interference and diffraction.

Diffraction Basics II: Rules and Applications