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17-Phys-A7 Optics: Undated paper

Nivaar worked solution (AI-drafted; not reviewed by a licensed engineer)

  1. Question 1 Short concept & definition questions
  2. Question 2 Step-index multimode fiber — ray angles and modal dispersion
  3. Question 3 Fresnel vs. Fraunhofer diffraction from a rectangular aperture
  4. Question 4 Polarization — sunglasses, Jones matrices
  5. Question 5 Optical detector — the PIN photodiode
  6. Question 6 Photons and atomic absorption/emission lines
  7. Question 7 Expanded-beam fiber coupler — system matrix (choice with Q8)
  8. Question 8 Ball-lens fiber coupler — refractive index (choice with Q7)
  9. Question 9 Newton’s rings (choice with Q10)
  10. Question 10 Air-wedge thin-film fringes (choice with Q9)

Start with Question 1 →

17-Phys-A7, Optics — National Exams, May 2019. 3 hours; closed book (approved Casio/Sharp calculator only). Each question value is as indicated; exam is out of 67. Questions 1–6 are mandatory; the paper then offers a choice of Question 7 or 8, and a choice of Question 9 or 10. Every question is solved in full below as a complete study resource, including both members of each either/or pair.

Reference texts. Hecht, Optics, 5th ed.; Pedrotti, Pedrotti & Pedrotti, Introduction to Optics, 3rd ed.; Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics, 4th ed. (Ch. 7–9, Maxwell’s equations and EM waves).

Note on question choice
Q7/Q8 and Q9/Q10 are each an either/or pair on the printed paper (only one of each counts toward the mark total, and the printed 67-mark total matches the mandatory questions plus the Q8+Q10 pairing). As a complete study resource, all four (7, 8, 9, 10) are solved in full below.
Note on the numbers
The numbers used here are internally consistent (mark totals sum correctly, angle/critical-angle values cross-check, see the Concept boxes below).