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16 August 2017 Optics simulations: a Python workshop
H. Ghalila, A. Ammar Jr., S. Varadharajan, Y. Majdi, M. Zghal, S. Lahmar, V. Lakshminarayanan
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Proceedings Volume 10452, 14th Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP 2017; 1045218 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2268377
Event: 14th Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics, ETOP 2017, 2017, Hangzhou, China
Abstract
Numerical simulations allow teachers and students to indirectly perform sophisticated experiments that cannot be realizable otherwise due to cost and other constraints. During the past few decades there has been an explosion in the development of numerical tools concurrently with open source environments such as Python software. This availability of open source software offers an incredible opportunity for advancing teaching methodologies as well as in research. More specifically it is possible to correlate theoretical knowledge with experimental measurements using “virtual” experiments. We have been working on the development of numerical simulation tools using the Python program package and we have concentrated on geometric and physical optics simulations. The advantage of doing hands-on numerical experiments is that it allows the student learner to be an active participant in the pedagogical/learning process rather than playing a passive role as in the traditional lecture format. Even in laboratory classes because of constraints of space, lack of equipment and often-large numbers of students, many students play a passive role since they work in groups of 3 or more students. Furthermore these new tools help students get a handle on numerical methods as well simulations and impart a “feel” for the physics under investigation.
© (2017) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
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H. Ghalila, A. Ammar Jr., S. Varadharajan, Y. Majdi, M. Zghal, S. Lahmar, and V. Lakshminarayanan "Optics simulations: a Python workshop", Proc. SPIE 10452, 14th Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP 2017, 1045218 (16 August 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2268377
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KEYWORDS
Computer simulations
Numerical simulations
Optical simulations
Computer programming
Computer programming languages
Computing systems
Numerical analysis
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