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PH40086: Photonics

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2015/6
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 Summary: EX 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Examination (EX 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Reassessment not allowed
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this module 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(Hons) Physics (Year 4)
  • USPH-AKM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 5)
  • USPH-AKM03 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • USPH-AFM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Research placement (Year 4)
  • USPH-AAM03 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)

PH40086 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Year 5)
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences with Study year abroad (Year 5)
Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
  • USXX-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USXX-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 4)
  • USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 5)
  • USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • USPH-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
  • USPH-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USPH-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2015/16.
* 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.