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PH40086: Photonics

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Physics
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Reassessment not allowed
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must (take PH20017 or take PH20063) and take PH30030 and take PH30077
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The aim of this unit is to develop students' understanding of the fundamental physics underlying both linear and nonlinear interactions of light with matter. A further aim is to describe how these interactions may be manipulated and enhanced by means of periodically patterned and microstructured optical waveguides.

Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* discuss the properties of waveguide modes as solutions to the scalar wave equation;
* describe in detail the properties of coupled waveguides and waveguide transitions;
* explain the physical origins and implications of loss and dispersion in practical waveguides;
* describe the unique properties of photonic crystal fibres;
* give a detailed explanation of the basic properties of photonic bandgaps and defects in 2 D and 3 D photonic crystals;
* demonstrate an understanding of the quantum mechanical origin of optical nonlinearities;
* discuss the meaning and applications of the phase matching conditions in frequency conversion;
* discuss and mathematically describe nonlinear effects in optical fibres.

Skills:
Numeracy T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A.

Content:
Optical waveguides (6 hours): Waveguide modes; scalar wave equation, mode excitation and propagation, transitions, chromatic dispersion. Coupled modes; directional coupling, supermodes, phase-matching, leakage and bending loss. Transmission and reflection characteristics of periodic optical waveguides.
Photonic crystals (5 hours): Photonic crystal fibres; Index guiding fibres, endlessly single mode fibres, solid- and hollow-core photonic bandgap fibres. One-dimensional photonic crystals. Two- and three-dimensional photonic crystals; Bloch theorem, photonic band gap, photonic crystal band structure, defects in photonic crystals.
Nonlinear optics (11 hours): Linear and nonlinear susceptibilities, saturation effects. Nonlinear refractive index; focusing and defocusing nonlinearities. Nonlinear beam propagation, filamentation, Lorentz oscillator model and nonlinear wave mixing. Second harmonic generation; parametric frequency conversion, phase-matching. Nonlinear optics in fibres; group velocity dispersion, nonlinear Schrödinger equation, four-wave mixing, Raman and Brillouin effects, nonlinear phase modulation. Short pulses and solitons in optical fibres. Optical supercontinuum.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PH40086 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Physics
  • USPH-AFM02 : MPhys Physics (Full-time) - Year 4
  • USPH-AFM04 : MPhys Physics with Research Placement (Full-time) - Year 4
  • USPH-AAM03 : MPhys Physics with Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4

PH40086 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 4
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 5
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 5
Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFB03 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USXX-AKB04 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics with Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USXX-AAB04 : BSc (hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USPH-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Physics (Full-time) - Year 3
  • USPH-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Physics (with Placement) (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 4
  • USPH-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Physics with Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Mathematics and Physics (Full-time) - Year 4

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/14 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.