Course Objective

The objective of this course is two-fold; (1) to provide students with a fundamental background in modern and classical optics, as well as principles of optical engineering, and (2) to provide students with a broad overview of state-of-the-art topics and cutting-edge research in the area of optics and lasers in medicine and biology. Fundamental concepts of optics and laser-tissue interaction will be discussed in order to provide a basis for the understanding of the current technology. The course is primarily a lecture course with approximately 40% of the lectures devoted to theory and 60% to experimental techniques, results and data interpretation.

Back to Top

Topics

Topics discussed in the course will include:

• Principles and properties of lasers and optics

• Electromagnetic waves, photons and light

• Basic Optics:
- Reflection
- Refraction
- Diffraction
- Lenses and Lens Systems
- Interference

• Light propagation in tissue
- Absorption
- Scattering

• Thermal aspects of light-tissue interaction

• Therapeutic use of lasers
- Ablation
- Coagulation
- Cutting
-Welding
- Photodynamic Therapy

• Diagnostic use of lasers ("optical biopsies")
- Optical Spectroscopy
- Optical Imaging

• Optical trapping / Micromanipulation of cells

• Novel technologies and applications

Homework

Homework assignments will be given throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to work together on homework but each student must turn in their own assignment. Homeworks will include problems to be solved, reading assignments, and literature studies.

Projects

A semester project will be assigned in coordination with the instructor. This project will likely run throughout the semester and will be in the form of a research paper that will be written by each student. This will include a literature search on a topic in the area of biomedical optics, the writing of a short draft paper and a full paper of approximately 10-12 typewritten pages.

Back to Top

Grading / Required Work

Homework....................25%

Project..........................20%

Midterm exam..............15%

Unannounced quizzes...15%

Final exam...................25%

Note: The final exam will be optional and will be given during the last week of class at a time and date to be determined. If you decide to take the final, the final grade will be computed by scaling your point total to 100. If you do take the final, it will count for 25% of your grade as indicated above.

Back to Top

Textbook:

No textbook is available (or required) for this course. There will be a class-pack available with relevant material.

Back to Top

Copyright © 2007 Vanderbilt University