Computation at the Speed of Light

Waves are all around us -- like water waves and sound waves. We don't often think of light as a wave, but of all wave phenomena, we know how to control light far better than any other type of wave: our most precise measurements are performed with lasers, and researchers are studying how to build light-based computers. In this semilab, we will work with professional optics lab equipment to understand and control the wave phenomena of light. We will use light to do measurement and computation: to measure very precise distances, and then implement Fourier transform-based image processing using lasers and optical lenses – no electrical computers. The prerequisite for this semilab is a basic knowledge of trigonometry (sin, cos) and functions.