44 lectures · B.Tech. Semester I
Reproduced from the instructor's official session-wise Lecture Plan for the 2026–27 academic session.
| Lect. | Topic | Ref. | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| MODULE I : RELATIVISTIC MECHANICS & INTERFERENCE | |||
| 1 | 1. Frame of reference; inertial and non-inertial frames of reference | T1 | C&T |
| 1 | 2. Galilean transformation and its failure for light waves | T1 | C&T |
| 2 | 3. Michelson–Morley experiment: arrangement, theory and the null result | T1 | S/P, C&T |
| 1 | 4. Postulates of the special theory of relativity | T1 | C&T |
| 2 | 5. Lorentz transformation of space and time (derivation) | T1 | C&T |
| 2 | 6. Length contraction and time dilation (derivation, physical significance) | T1 | C&T, QUIZ |
| 1 | 7. Addition of velocities and variation of mass with velocity | T1 | C&T |
| 1 | 8. Equivalence of mass and energy (E = mc²) and momentum–energy transformation equations | T1 | C&T |
| 1 | 9. Numerical problems and tutorial on relativistic mechanics | T1 | QUIZ |
| 1 | 10. Theory of interference of light; principle of superposition and coherent sources | T2 | C&T |
| 1 | 11. Conditions for obtaining sustained interference | T2 | C&T, GD |
| 1 | 12. Classification of films; interference in a wedge-shaped film (theory) | T2 | C&T, CHART |
| 1 | 13. Fringe width of a wedge-shaped film; applications (testing flatness, thickness measurement) | T2 | C&T, DEMO |
| 1 | 14. Numerical problems and tutorial on interference | T2 | QUIZ |
| MODULE II : DIFFRACTION & POLARIZATION | |||
| 1 | 15. Introduction to diffraction; Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction | T2 | C&T |
| 1 | 16. Fraunhofer diffraction at a single slit (theory and intensity distribution) | T2 | C&T, CHART |
| 1 | 17. Fraunhofer diffraction at a double slit | T2 | C&T |
| 1 | 18. Diffraction at N slits: the diffraction grating (theory) | T2 | C&T, S/P |
| 1 | 19. Resolving power of a diffraction grating (derivation, Rayleigh criterion) | T2 | C&T |
| 1 | 20. Applications and limitations of a grating; numerical problems | T2 | QUIZ |
| 1 | 21. Phenomena of polarization; double refraction and doubly refracting crystals | T2 | C&T, CHART |
| 1 | 22. Huygens' theory of double refraction (O-ray and E-ray wavefronts) | T2 | S/P |
| 1 | 23. Nicol prism: construction and working as polarizer/analyser | T2 | DEMO, C&T |
| 1 | 24. Quarter-wave plate and half-wave plate | T2 | C&T |
| 1 | 25. Production and analysis of plane, circularly and elliptically polarized light | T2 | C&T |
| 1 | 26. Optical activity; polarimeters (Laurent's half-shade polarimeter) | T2 | DEMO |
| 1 | 27. Applications of polarization; numerical problems and tutorial | T2 | QUIZ, GD |
| MODULE III : LASER, HOLOGRAPHY & FIBER OPTICS | |||
| 1 | 28. Basic principles of laser action: absorption, spontaneous and stimulated emission | T3 | C&T |
| 1 | 29. Population inversion, pumping, the optical resonator, and characteristics of laser light | T3 | C&T |
| 1 | 30. Ruby laser: construction and working (three-level scheme) | T3 | S/P, CHART |
| 1 | 31. He-Ne laser: construction and working (four-level scheme) | T3 | S/P, CHART |
| 1 | 32. Applications of laser | T3 | SEM, ET/GL |
| 1 | 33. Basic principle of holography; construction and reconstruction of image on a hologram | T3 | S/P |
| 1 | 34. Applications of holography; tutorial | T3 | GD |
| 1 | 35. Fundamental ideas of optical fiber; types of fibers (step/graded-index, single/multimode) | T3 | C&T, CHART |
| 1 | 36. Acceptance angle, acceptance cone and numerical aperture (derivation) | T3 | C&T |
| 1 | 37. Propagation mechanism in an optical fiber | T3 | C&T |
| 1 | 38. Communication using optical fiber | T3 | S/P |
| 1 | 39. Attenuation and signal loss in optical fiber | T3 | C&T |
| 1 | 40. Dispersion in optical fiber (intermodal and intramodal) | T3 | C&T |
| 1 | 41. Numerical problems, tutorial and overall course revision | T3 | QUIZ |
| 44 | Total Lectures: | ||
Teaching Methods: C&T: Chalk & Talk; S/P: Slides/PPT/Videos; SEM: Seminar; DEMO: Demonstration; CHART: Chart/Model; ET/GL: Expert Talk/Guest Lecture; QUIZ: Quiz; GD: Group Discussion; RTCS: Real-Time Case Studies; JAR: Journal Article Review; PD: Poster Design; LAB: Laboratory Demonstration.
Faculty Course Portal · 2026–27