Dialogues about geometry and light

D. Bermudez, J. Drori, U. Leonhardt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Throughout human history, people have used sight to learn about the world, but only in relatively recent times the science of light has been developed. Egyptians and Mesopotamians made the first known lenses out of quartz, giving birth to what was later known as optics. On the other hand, geometry is a branch of mathematics that was born from practical studies concerning lengths, areas and volumes in the early cultures, although it was not put into axiomatic form until the 3rd century BC. In this work, we will discuss the connection between these two timeless topics and show some "new things in old things". There have been several works in this direction, but taking into account the didactic approach of the "Enrico Fermi" Summer School, we would like to address the subject and our audience in a new light.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi"
Subtitle of host publicationFrontiers in Modern Optics
EditorsDaniele Faccio, John Dudley, Matteo Clerici
PublisherIOS Press
Pages1-30
Number of pages30
ISBN (Electronic)9781614996460
ISBN (Print)978-1-61499-646-0
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
EventInternational School of Physics "Enrico Fermi" on Frontiers in Modern Optics - Varenna, Italy
Duration: 30 Jun 20145 Jul 2014

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi"
Volume190

Conference

ConferenceInternational School of Physics "Enrico Fermi" on Frontiers in Modern Optics
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityVarenna
Period30/06/145/07/14

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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