Category talk:Physical optics

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
WikiProject Physics (Rated Category-class)
WikiProject iconThis category is within the scope of WikiProject Physics, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of Physics on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.PhysicsWikipedia:WikiProject PhysicsTemplate:WikiProject Physicsphysics articles
Category This category does not require a rating on the project's quality scale.
 

The Optical Society of America lists the following topics related to this category:

  • Anisotropic media (crystal optics)
  • Birefringence
  • Chemiluminescence
  • Diffraction theory
  • Dispersion
  • Electromagnetic theory
  • Ellipsometry and polarimetry
  • Energy transfer
  • Fluorescence
  • Infrared
  • Infrared, far
  • Interference
  • Ionization
  • Luminescence
  • Metals, optics of
  • Photochemistry
  • Photoconductivity
  • Photoionization
  • Polarization
  • Resonance
  • Self-focusing
  • Stark effect
  • Total internal reflection
  • Ultraviolet
  • Ultraviolet, extreme
  • Ultraviolet, far
  • Zeeman effect

Category Types[edit]

Why distinguish between Physical Optics and Optics?Gfutia 07:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Optics has traditionally been treated using simplified linear models of ray propagation. This is called "geometric optics". Physical optics is the branch of optics that models the actual propagation of light as a wave. In particular, physical optics can include the effects of diffraction and interference. So, not all optics is physical. Some of it is geometric. Many common optical concepts, like focal length only have precise meaning in geometric optics. --Srleffler 17:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)Reply[reply]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category_talk:Physical_optics&oldid=546798269"