Light and Beyond - Lecture 2: Optical Phenomena and Wave Propagation

Explore advanced concepts in optics and electromagnetic waves in this lecture from the "Light and Beyond" summer course series. Delve into topics such as lateral waves, inhomogeneous and anisotropic media, mirages, and the Huygens-Fermat principle. Learn about ray curvature, optical analogies, and the historical debate between Huygens and Newton. Engage with problem-solving techniques, including the Dijkstra algorithm for shortest routes. Suitable for undergraduate and master's students in science and engineering, this intensive course combines mathematical analysis, experimental demonstrations, and computer simulations to provide a comprehensive understanding of optical phenomena in nature and technology.

TIME: Sundays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am Lecture, 11:30 am - pm Tutorials / discussions
Light and Beyond Lecture 2
Previously on LnB
....and some more
The lateral wave
Beyond a constant speed inhomogenous and anisotropic
The mirage
The treasure hunt
Dijkstra algorithm for shortest routes on a graph
Huygens Fermat
Not all families of rays have wavefronts
A medium with layers
Ray curvature from Huygens construction
Back to the mirage
The curve of quickest descent: an optical analogy
Huygens vs. Newton
Q&A
Wrap Up