Electromagnetic Waves: Reflection, Refraction, and Interference

This lecture covers the qualitative and conceptual aspects of experimental physics II, focusing on electromagnetic waves. Topics include wavefront behavior at interfaces, wave optics, geometric optics, and the superposition principle leading to diffraction and interference phenomena. The instructor emphasizes the historical debate between corpuscular theory and wave theory of light, explaining the properties of monochromatic electromagnetic waves and their applications in diffraction gratings and interference filters. The lecture also delves into the principles of interference and diffraction, discussing the consequences in microscopy and the diffraction grating's role in optical spectrometry. Furthermore, it explores laser interferometry applications for ultra-precise distance measurements and the interaction of light with matter, including reflection and refraction at interfaces.