Course Title: Modern Imaging: Optical and Electron Microscopy and Holography

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Modern Imaging: Optical and Electron Microscopy and Holography

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
PHYS2117	City Campus	Undergraduate	135H Applied Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2008

Course Coordinator: A/Prof Philip Wilksch

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2145

Course Coordinator Email: philip.wilksch@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 14.5.09

Course Coordinator Availability: see timetable on door

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Familiarity with mathematics and general science at a first year level is an advantage, but not essential.

Course Description

This course introduces you to some state-of-the-art principles, techniques and instruments for recording images of objects in unique and innovative ways. It includes instruction in the basics of microscopy, using both optical and electron microscopes, and in the process of holography for recording and replaying three-dimensional images. You will become familiar with the particular properties of light waves, laser waves, and electron waves that allow them to perform these imaging tasks, and you will acquire hands-on experience in their use.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

After completing this course you will be able to:
• explain the basic principles of image formation and magnification
• describe the similarities and differences between coherent and incoherent light, and electron beams, in the context of their imaging properties
• describe the unique properties of laser light, and recall the safety standards and considerations relating to its use
• advise on the relative suitability of the optical and electron microscope for producing magnified images of given specimens
• use the optical and electron microscope for simple imaging tasks, and set their operating controls appropriately
• interpret images from optical and electron microscopes in the light of their capabilities and limitations
• describe the principles of holography in basic terms, explaining how holography accomplishes the production of 3-D images
• make a simple hologram using laboratory equipment
• recognise some of the different types of hologram and their areas of application

Overview of Learning Activities

The course will consist of a mixture of lecture and practical sessions. For the latter, the class will be divided into small groups to give you as much individual experience with the equipment as possible.

Overview of Learning Resources

You will have access to lecture notes, lists of recommended references and other resources through the Learning Hub.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment will be on the basis of tests and assignments on the lecture material, and on performance in the laboratory as evidenced by a laboratory journal and the production of some finished works of holography and/or microscopy.