Optics Notes – Just Call It Action

Author

Qi Huang

Published

July 22, 2026

This is a collection of Optics Notes

Optics Notes#4: Vector waves

We consider an electromagnetic plane wave in a homogeneous, isotropic, source-free medium. Let \(\mathbf{s}\) be a unit vector in the direction of propagation. The wave…

Optics Notes#3: Scalar waves

We briefly examine the simplest solution of this equation. \[ \nabla^2 V - \frac{1}{v^2}\frac{\partial^2 V}{\partial t^2} = 0 \]

Scalar waves

This figure shows a simple harmonic wave and the wave group formed by two nearby waves. The upper panel contains the carrier wave, while the lower panel contains the wave…

Optics Notes#2: The wave equation and the velocity of light

This note explains how to derive Maxwell’s wave equations.

Optics Notes#1: Electromagnetic Field

This note introduces basic properties of the electromagnetic field.