This course introduces each of the following basic areas of optics, from an engineering point of view: geometrical optics, image quality, flux transfer, sources, detectors, and lasers. Basic calculations and concepts are emphasized.
Learning Outcomes
This course will enable you to:
compute the following image properties: size, location, fidelity, brightness
estimate diffraction-limited imaging performance
explain optical diagrams
describe the factors that affect flux transfer efficiency, and their quantitative description
compute the spectral distribution of a source
describe the difference between photon and thermal detectors
calculate the signal to noise performance of a sensor (D* and noise equivalent power)
differentiate between sensitivity and responsivity
explain the main factors of laser beams: monochromaticity, collimation, and propagation
Intended Audience
This class is intended for engineers, technicians, and managers who need to understand and apply basic optics concepts in their work. The basics in each of the areas are covered, and are intended for those with little or no prior background in optics, or for those who need a fundamental refresher course.
About the Instructor
Glenn Boreman served as the 2017 President of SPIE, and since 2011 is Chair of the Department of Physics & Optical Science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He received the BS in Optics from the University of Rochester, and the PhD in Optics from the University of Arizona. From 1984 to 2011 he was on the faculty of the University of Central Florida. He has supervised 27 PhD students to completion. Prof. Boreman is coauthor of the graduate textbooks "Infrared Detectors and Systems" and "Infrared Antennas and Resonant Structures," and author of "Modulation Transfer Function in Optical & Electro-Optical Systems" and "Basic Electro-Optics for Electrical Engineers." He has published more than 200 journal articles in the areas of infrared sensors and materials, optics of random media, and image-quality assessment. He is a fellow of SPIE, IEEE, OSA, and the Military Sensing Symposium.
Textbooks
COURSE PRICE INCLUDES the eBook Basic Electro-Optics for Electrical Engineers (SPIE Press, 1998) by Glenn D. Boreman.
Additional Notes
This course is also available in our pre-recorded online format. Learn more about our online courses here.
Attendee testimonial: The instructor was very clear and got into details so that the course was comprehensive but not heavy to follow. The instructor did answer the students' questions properly. Enthusiastic, clear, knowledgeable.
Download sample course notes (PDF)