History of Optics

	Revision 6 . . October 8, 2001 3:09 pm by Travist
	Revision 5 . . (edit) October 8, 2001 1:08 pm by The Cunctator [*Added geometic optics]

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Difference (from prior major revision) (no other diffs)

Changed: 1c1

A branch of physics that describes the behaviour of light and the interaction of light with matter©

A branch of physics that describes the behaviour of light and the interaction of light with matter.

Changed: 3c3,13

Sometimes sub-divided into Classical Optics ¥reflection, refraction, diffraction,dispersion, ray? and wave theories of optics, Fourier? optics, and the [geometric optics]? of lenses, mirrors and prisms¤ and Modern Optics ¥quantum optics, lasers, holography?, crystal optics and nonlinear optics©¤

Classical Optics *reflection *refraction *diffraction *dispersion *ray? and wave theories of optics *Fourier? optics *[geometric optics]? of: *lenses *mirrors *prisms

Changed: 5c15,22

The field of optics usually describes the behaviour of visible?, infrared and ultraviolet light; however since light is a [electromagnetic wave]?, analogous phenomena occur in X-rays?, microwaves, radio waves and other forms of electromagnetic radiation© Optics can thus be regarded as a sub-field of electromagnetism©

Modern Optics *quantum optics *lasers *holography? *crystal optics *nonlinear optics The field of optics usually describes the behaviour of visible?, infrared and ultraviolet light; however since light is a [electromagnetic wave]?, analogous phenomena occur in X-rays?, microwaves, radio waves, and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. Optics can thus be regarded as a sub-field of electromagnetism