Module Identifier |
PH34510 |
Module Title |
OPTRONICS |
Academic Year |
2003/2004 |
Co-ordinator |
Dr Andrew Evans |
Semester |
Semester 2 |
Other staff |
Dr Rudolf Winter |
Pre-Requisite |
PH22010 |
Course delivery |
Lecture | 20 lectures |
Assessment |
Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
Semester Exam | 3 Hours end of semester exmanination for MPhys Students | 80% |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours end of semester exmaination for BSc Students | 80% |
Semester Assessment | Course Work: Tests Coursework Deadlines (by week of Semester):
Test (10%) Week 8 (approx)
Test (10%) Week 11 (approx) | 20% |
|
Learning outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:
-
explain what is meant by laser light
-
calculate the population inversion necessary for laser action
-
describe the different pumping requirements of three- and four-level lasers
-
distinguish the longitudinal and transverse mode structures of laser cavities
-
describe the operation of different types of laser systems
-
explain what is meant by an optical fibre
-
determine the major causes of attenuation and dispersion of light in optical fibres and the means by which these can be minimised
-
design modulators of light based on the electro-optic and acousto-optic effect
-
design a frequency doubler for laser light
Brief description
This module will investigate how photons can replace electrons as the principal information-processing agents. The module will discuss optical sources (including lasers in detail), optical fibres and waveguides, modulation of light (acoustic-optic and electro-optic modulation) and optical signal processing.
Content
LASERS
Absorption, spontaneous emission of radiation and the Einstein relations
Laser radiation theory leading to the necessity for population inversion
Population inversion and three- and four-level systems
Threshold condition for laser cavities and mode structure of laser light
Examples of practical laser systems including solid state lasers, gas lasers, excimer lasers, dye lasers and semiconductor lasers
OPTICAL FIBRES
Snell's law and optical fibres
Dispersion and attenuation in optical fibres
Single mode and graded index fibres
Materials for optical fibres
MODULATION OF LIGHT
Birefringence and the electro-optic modulators
The design of electro-optic modulators
The acousto-optic effect
The design of acousto-optic modulators
Reading Lists
Books
J. Wilson and J.F.B. Hawkes Optoelectronics: an Introduction
Prentice/Hall
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6