What Are the Best Optics Textbooks for a Junior Course?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around recommendations for optics textbooks suitable for a junior-level course. Participants consider various texts in relation to the course prerequisites and topics, which include electromagnetic waves, geometrical optics, interference, and lasers.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that Hecht is a popular choice for optics textbooks.
  • Another participant agrees that Hecht is a good book but finds it verbose, preferring Kenyon instead.
  • A different participant proposes Born & Wolf as a great option, although they acknowledge it may be too advanced for the course level.
  • A participant offers a free alternative textbook available online, noting it is targeted at a senior undergraduate level and includes a math review.
  • One contributor advises that since the professor is allowing students to choose their own textbook, they might consider a reference book rather than a comprehensive read, reiterating their recommendation for Hecht.
  • Another participant expresses concern that Born & Wolf may not be suitable for junior students, suggesting it could be too complex compared to the course material.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the suitability of specific textbooks, particularly regarding Hecht and Born & Wolf. There is no consensus on a single best textbook, as preferences vary based on perceived complexity and usefulness for the course level.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the varying levels of complexity in the recommended textbooks, indicating that certain texts may not align well with the junior course's prerequisites and content. The discussion reflects a range of personal biases and experiences with the suggested materials.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students enrolled in junior optics courses, educators seeking textbook recommendations, and individuals interested in the varying levels of complexity in optics literature.

PManslaughter
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I'm taking a junior course on optics. The professor said it would be up to us to find a textbook to use. For this course the prerequisites are E&M (Griffiths level), classical mechanics (Morin level), and multivariable calculus.

Anyone have recommendations on a textbook for this class?
Course description:
"An introduction to physics of light. Topics covered include: electromagnetic waves, propagation of light; the Huygens and Fermat's principles; Geometrical optics and optical instruments; Interference of waves and diffraction; Polarization; Introduction to photons, lasers and optical fibers."
 
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Hecht is rather popular.
 
Perhaps it's too advanced, but Born&Wolf is just great!
 
A free alternative is available here:

https://optics.byu.edu/textbook

It has a math review at the beginning, and is targeted at a senior undergraduate level. I'm an author of the book, so I can't give unbiased assessment of the material (but I have no financial interest as we allow free use). We try to give clear derivations and examples and regularly update the book.

M. Ware
 
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For what it's worth, if your professor is telling you to figure out your own textbook, you (hopefully! assuming your professor isn't evil) shouldn't be relying on it that much. So you may be looking for a reference book rather than a read-cover-to-cover textbook. For that I recommend Hecht. It's quite verbose, but it's all there and it's not hard to read. I believe the newest edition is heavily trimmed down from its predecessors, but I haven't read the latest edition.
Full disclosure: I'm biased because I had Hecht as a professor, so take my recommendation with a grain of salt.
I don't recommend Born and Wolf for a junior level course. It'll likely just seem to be speaking a different language from your lectures.
 
Born and Wolf is aimed at a hugh-level audience.
I'd choose Hecht; perhaps a bit old but still useful.
 

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