PHY3037 : Photonics
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Professor Noel Healy
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
To introduce the fundamentals of light matter interaction.
To provide an introduction to optical communications through optical fibres to allow a basic level of design calculation and evaluation to be performed.
To provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of light amplification and the laser.
To impart a broad appreciation of the plethora of modern applications of photonics and the most important emerging topics in this field.
Outline Of Syllabus
The nature of light:
Wave descriptions. Photon description and phenomena (photoelectric effect, momentum, interaction with matter), Kramers–Kronig relations. Description of light in terms of polarization, coherence, mono/polychromatic and Jones vectors & matrices.
Light generation:
LEDs & Lasers; Einstein A and B coefficients, rate equations, population inversion, gain and losses, resonators, laser threshold, 3 and 4 level systems, cavity modes and mode locking.
Basics of waveguides and optical fibres:
Waveguide structure, single and multimode fibres, dispersion, transmission characteristics.
Advanced topics:
Nonlinear optics, quantum optics, nano-photonics and plasmonics
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | Non Synchronous Activities |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Present in Person |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Synchronous On Line Material |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Office Hour or Discussion Board Activity |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 47 | 1:00 | 47:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| EEE3016 | Photonics |
| EEE8011 | Photonics |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Non-synchronous online materials are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on assessed work. Present-in-person and synchronous online sessions are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems and to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students, and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. Students who cannot attend a present-in-person session will be provided with an alternative activity allowing them to access the learning outcomes of that session. In addition, office hours/discussion board activity will provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer: a typical student might spend a total of one or two hours over the course of the module, either individually or as part of a group.
Student should consult their individual timetable for up-to-date delivery information.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 10 | N/A |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 10 | N/A |
| Written exercise | 2 | A | 80 | Alternative Assessment |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal test is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The written exercises will consist of five assignments of approximately equal weight and will allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- PHY3037's Timetable