The human eye: A model system for teaching optics

Abstract

The human eye treated as an optical system is an excellent model to teach various aspects of Optics. The range of topics treated can start from simple refraction upto quantum optics including detection of single photons. In particular, concepts and methods such as ray tracing, apertures and stops, field of view calculations, gradient index systems, non-centered systems, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, scattering, Fourier optics as well as aberrations (both Seidel and wavefront aberrations) and adaptive optics can be illustrated using various properties of the human visual system. A course such as this will be of interest to students from biological sciences as well natural science and engineering students who desire some "real world" applications. I have taught these aspects and will describe my experiences and a model curriculum utilizing this ansatz. © ETOP 2009.