Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

EE40130 Optical devices & systems

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX 100%

Requisites:

Aims: To explain the fundamental principles of operation of optical devices.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the unit the student should have a clear understanding of:
* optical waveguides;
* the basic principles of operation of semiconductor optical devices;
* the basic principles of Quantum Well materials and their applications in optoelectronics.
Skills:
Intellectual skills: basic maths, electromagnetic waves and semiconductor devices.
Content:
Introduction on optical communications systems and basic components.
Optical waveguides modes. Optical gratings.
Spontaneous, stimulated emission/absorption processes. Semiconductor lasers: principles of operation;
Fabry-Perot resonator. Qualitative review of optoelectronic sources, e.g., LEDs, Superluminescent LEDs, designs for monochromatic sources (DFB/DBR lasers), VCSELs.
Quantum Wells and their application in optoelectronics: simple introduction to Wave Mechanics, the "electron-in-a-box" problem, forming semiconductor quantum well and superlattices, quantum well lasers, Quantum Confined Stark Effect and electro-absorption modulators, electro-optic effects and their application to modulators and switches. Coupled mode theory.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07