Mike Reynolds
Research Mentor(s): Richard Frazin
Research Mentor School/College/Department: College of Engineering Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering
Presentation Date: 08/03/2022
Presentation Type: Poster
Poster Number: 40
Session: Session II: 1:30 – 2:20pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Mike Reynolds
Abstract
The field of optics is largely based on the Fourier transform, Maxwell’s equations, and the Wave Equation. The Fourier transform is used to take a wave in space and translate it to a description of that wave using function of frequencies. Maxwell’s equations describe four different important relationships of a magnetic field. The Wave Equation is a partial differential equation that discusses the relationship between a waveform in space and in time. These three mathematical concepts along with some knowledge of differential equations and 3D calculus are the the primary components of the math and physics of diffraction in optics. Diffraction is defined as “any deviation light rays fom rectilinear paths which cannot be interpreted as reflection or refraction.” [1]. Over the course of the summer, I have spent my time understanding the Fourier transform, Maxwell’s equations, the Wave Equation, and Fresnel Diffraction. In addition, I used my knowledge of python to program simple numerical methods that calculate and graph important data sets.
[1] Sommerfeld, A. (1967). Optics. Academic Press.
