Optics

1. Physical Optics
   1. Wave Nature of Light
      1. Electromagnetic Spectrum
         1. Description of wave components
         2. Role of different wavelengths
         3. Energy and frequency relationships
      2. Wave-Particle Duality
         1. Historical experiments showing duality
         2. Implications for light behavior
         3. Modern interpretations of wave and particle models
   2. Interference
      1. Constructive and Destructive Interference
         1. Conditions for constructive interference
         2. Conditions for destructive interference
         3. Mathematical description using phase difference
      2. Young's Double-Slit Experiment
         1. Historical context and experiment setup
         2. Observations and significance in wave theory
         3. Equation derivation for fringe spacing
         4. Phase coherence and its requirements
      3. Interferometers
         1. Types of interferometers (e.g., Michelson, Mach-Zehnder)
         2. Applications in measuring small displacements, refractive index changes
         3. Role in precision metrology and gravitational wave detection
   3. Diffraction
      1. Single-Slit Diffraction
         1. Setup and observation of diffraction patterns
         2. Mathematical treatment using wave theory
         3. Influence of slit width on pattern
      2. Multiple-Slit (Grating) Diffraction
         1. Formation of diffraction gratings
         2. Calculation of diffraction angles
         3. Applications in spectroscopy
      3. Diffraction Limits and Resolution
         1. Rayleigh criterion for resolution
         2. Abbe's diffraction limit in imaging
         3. Implications for optical devices and microscopy
   4. Polarization
      1. Linear, Circular, and Elliptical Polarization
         1. Mechanisms of producing each type
         2. Usage of polar diagrams to describe polarization states
         3. Differences and transformation through optical components
      2. Polarizers and Analyzers
         1. Types of polarizers (e.g., linear, circular)
         2. Operation and effect on polarized and unpolarized light
         3. Applications in stress analysis, photography, and LCD technology
   5. Scattering
      1. Rayleigh Scattering
         1. Explanation of wavelength dependency
         2. Atmospheric effects (e.g., why the sky is blue)
         3. Applications in environmental sensing
      2. Mie Scattering
         1. Particle size considerations
         2. Differences from Rayleigh and resonance effects
         3. Applications in cloud physics and particle sizing
      3. Raman Scattering
         1. Inelastic scattering and energy exchange
         2. Principles of Raman spectroscopy
         3. Applications in chemical and molecular identification