Physical Optics

Physical optics is a branch of optics that studies the nature of light as a wave. It deals with phenomena such as interference, diffraction, and polarization to understand how light behaves when it encounters obstacles, passes through or interacts with different materials. This knowledge helps us design things like lenses, fiber-optic cables, and holograms. Think of it as learning the rules of how light 'plays' as it travels, enabling us to better 'coach' it in various technologies.