The expansion in the fields of optical engineering and optoelectronics has made it essential to introduce optical engineering concepts into undergraduate courses and curricula. Because of limits on the number of course requirements for the BS degree, it is not clear how these topics should be introduced without replacing some of the traditional…

The art of deriving information about an object from the radiation it scatters was once limited to visible light. Now due to new techniques, much of the modern physical science research utilizes radiation scattering. (DF)

A consultant answers questions aimed at preventing costly planning errors and misapplication of A-V system designs. (Author)

Importance of distinguishing clearly between wave velocity and group velocity is discussed. Examples are used to elucidate both concepts. (DF)

Describes an experiment in which the Fresnel diffraction pattern of a single slit can be displayed directly on an oscilloscope. The experiment requires a minimum amount of equipment and space. Results of the experiment are presented and compared with theoretical calculations carried out by a digital computer. (LC)

There were no differences in the understanding of physical optics and ability to solve physical optics problems after instruction or on a delayed test between students with or without prior instruction in wave motion. (AL)

Describes an advanced laboratory experiment of Fresnel diffraction which uses a He-Ne gas laser as the source and a wire as the opaque diffracting strip. A photograph of the diffraction pattern is compared with the intensity diagram predicted by the Cornu spiral method. Agreement is clear and impressive, although minor differences are detectable.…

Certain terminological inconsistencies in the teaching of optical theory at the elementary level are traced back to Newton who derived them from Euclidean geometrical optics. Discusses this terminological ambiguity which influenced later textbooks. (LS)

An optical dectector consisting of a high-speed PIN diode and a transistor was evaluated for use in student experiments with a pulsed-ruby laser. Pulses with 36-nsec risetimes were clearly resolved. (LC)