Category talk:Physical optics

The Optical Society of America lists the following topics related to this category:

Anisotropic media (crystal optics) Birefringence Chemiluminescence Diffraction theory Dispersion Electromagnetic theory Ellipsometry and polarimetry Energy transfer Fluorescence	Infrared Infrared, far Interference Ionization Luminescence Metals, optics of Photochemistry Photoconductivity Photoionization Polarization	Resonance Self-focusing Stark effect Total internal reflection Ultraviolet Ultraviolet, extreme Ultraviolet, far Zeeman effect

Category Types

Why distinguish between Physical Optics and Optics?Gfutia 07:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)

Optics has traditionally been treated using simplified linear models of ray propagation. This is called "geometric optics". Physical optics is the branch of optics that models the actual propagation of light as a wave. In particular, physical optics can include the effects of diffraction and interference. So, not all optics is physical. Some of it is geometric. Many common optical concepts, like focal length only have precise meaning in geometric optics. --Srleffler 17:30, 4 October 2007 (UTC)