Optics 2, 4.5 credits

Matematik 2a, 2b or 2c, Naturkunskap 2.

The course intends to give basic knowledge of diffraction and imaging errors in simple optical systems and in the eye and about how one describes image and visual quality that is necessary for continued optician education and work.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• discuss and analyse the resolution in aberration free optical systems.
• give an account of monochromatic and chromatic aberrations in optical systems
• assess reasonable demands on F-numbers and visual field of simple optical systems
• interpret and use information about image quality on the basis of the concepts of point spreading function and MTF
• account for and rank the different optical limitations of the eye
• interpret and evaluate measurement results from instruments measuring wavefront aberration of the eye
• explain and interpret information about visual quality based on the concepts, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in the eye
• explain and use relations between image quality and vision quality in the eye.

Optical errors: defocus and astigmatism monochromatic aberrations, wavefront aberration, zernike polynomals, the aberrations of the eye, chromatic aberrations, diffraction
Image and visual quality: dissolution, point spread function, MTF, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, depth of field

The teaching is given in the form of lectures interleaved with calculation exercises and assisted problem solving where the theoretical knowledge is illustrated and practiced individually through calculation examples.

The course is assessed through a written examination that is graded U, G or VG. The course is given the same grade as the written examination.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected knowledge, skills and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

If the course is cancelled or goes through substantial changes, information about interim regulations will be stated here.

Course evaluation takes place according to guidelines established by Karolinska Institutet.

The course is given in collaboration with the Department of applied physiology at KTH. The course may be given in parallel with the course Basic Optometry 2.

Some teaching may be in English.