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Optics > General Optics v



Optics
    

Optics is the study of the propagation of electromagnetic radiation (most commonly, visible light).

Depending on the properties of interest, different mathematical formalisms and approximations can be made. Geometric optics assumes that the wavelength is sufficiently small so that the path of rays can be described using only reflection and refraction. Physical optics includes the effects of interference, diffraction, and polarization. Physical optics must be used when the wavelength of light and dimensions of the system are of a comparable order of magnitude.

Diffraction, Geometric Optics, Hamiltonian Optics, Light, Nonlinear Optics, Physical Optics, Polarization, Refraction, Reflection




References

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