Light and the Information it carries Lecture 1. Electromagnetic Spectrum

Light and the Light and the Information it Information it

carriescarriesLecture 1Lecture 1

Electromagnetic Electromagnetic SpectrumSpectrum

Visible lightVisible light

HumanHuman BeeBee

Light and the Light and the environmentenvironment

absorption absorption diffractiondiffraction refractionrefraction reflectionreflection

Light striking an opaque surface Light striking an opaque surface absorptionabsorption

matt black surface - absorbs most light, matt black surface - absorbs most light, reflects littlereflects little

silvered surface - absorbs little, reflects mostsilvered surface - absorbs little, reflects most reflectionreflection

reflects some wavelength more than othersreflects some wavelength more than others a green leaf absorbs red light (and so a green leaf absorbs red light (and so

reflects less) and so appears greenreflects less) and so appears green texture influences how coherently light is texture influences how coherently light is

reflectedreflected

ReflectionReflection

SmoothSmooth RoughRough

Ambient Optic Array 1Ambient Optic Array 1

Each visible surface structures the pattern of light

The Optic array is the structured pattern of light reaching the observers eye from the environment

Optic Array 2Optic Array 2

Optic Array 3Optic Array 3