Course 3: OPTICAL COMPONENTS

This course will review optical components found in most optical systems used today. Fundamental concepts dealing with index of refraction, focal length, radius, image points, magnification, f/#s and numerical aperture will be discussed.

BENEFITS
After completing this course, technicians will be able to:

• Describes the difference between convex and concave surfaces.
• Given a prism with a known apex angle, use the minimum deviation angle to compute the index of refraction.
• Define image point, real image, virtual image and paraxial ray.
• Define converging and diverging lenses.
• Define the focal length, focal points and focal plane of a thin lens.

INTENDED AUDIENCE
This course is intended for the technician who needs to understand basic optics.  

PREREQUISITES

Working knowledge of geometry, algebra and right angle trigonometry will be helpful.