This document provides an overview of physical optics and microwaves. It discusses several topics including interference using a Michelson interferometer, diffraction of light and microwaves, photoconductivity, and polarization of light. For interference, it describes types of interference and performing measurements using a Michelson interferometer to determine the wavelength of a laser and refractive index of a glass plate. For diffraction, it discusses Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction and performing experiments to observe diffraction patterns from microwaves and laser light. It also presents the results of experiments measuring photoconductivity and verifying Malus' law of polarization.