Refraction at a plane surface

Students should recall that the refractive index of air is approximately 1.

Snell’s law of refraction for a boundary $n_1\sin\theta_1 = n_2\sin\theta_2$

Total internal reflection $\sin\theta_c = \frac{n_2}{n_1}$

Simple treatment of fibre optics including the function of the cladding.

Optical fibres will be limited to step index only.

Material and modal dispersion.

Students are expected to understand the principles and consequences of pulse broadening and absorption.