PHYSICS 3540 - Optics and Photonics III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course provides students with a working knowledge of optical physics, including diffraction and physical optics, atomic physics and optical spectroscopy, laser physics and photonics. Content will include: Fresnel equations and multi-layer dielectric coatings, polarisation and birefringence. Fresnel-Kirchhoff integral and diffraction, Fourier optics, Abbe's theory of imaging, image processing.Optical fibres, microstructured optical fibres, fibre Bragg gratings, fibre sensors, optical materials, photonic crystals. Lorentz electron oscillator and dispersion. Lasers; Einstein equations, stimulated and spontaneous emission and absorption, optical amplification, resonators and modes, rate equations, pulsed and continuous lasers, mode-locked lasers.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHYSICS 3540
    Course Optics and Photonics III
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites PHYSICS 2520 or PHYSICS 2525, PHYSICS 3542, MATHS 2101 or MATHS 2202, MATHS 2102 or MATHS 2201
    Incompatible PHYSICS 3230 & PHYSICS 3001
    Course Description This course provides students with a working knowledge of optical physics, including diffraction and physical optics, atomic physics and optical spectroscopy, laser physics and photonics.
    Content will include:
    Fresnel equations and multi-layer dielectric coatings, polarisation and birefringence. Fresnel-Kirchhoff integral and diffraction, Fourier optics, Abbe's theory of imaging, image processing.Optical fibres, microstructured optical fibres, fibre Bragg gratings, fibre sensors, optical materials, photonic crystals. Lorentz electron oscillator and dispersion.
    Lasers; Einstein equations, stimulated and spontaneous emission and absorption, optical amplification, resonators and modes, rate equations, pulsed and continuous lasers, mode-locked lasers.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Iain Reid

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. define and explain the propagation of light in conducting and non-conducting media;
    2. define and explain the physics governing laser behaviour and light matter interaction;
    3. apply wave optics and diffraction theory to a range of problems;
    4. apply the principles of atomic physics to materials used in optics and photonics;
    5. calculate the properties of various lasers and the propagation of laser beams;
    6. calculate properties of and design modern optical fibres and photonic crystals;
    7. use the tools, methodologies, language and conventions of physics to test and communicate ideas and explanations
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1 – 6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 2
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3 – 6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 7
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3 – 7
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1, 2
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 7
  • Learning Resources
    Recommended Resources

    Buck, J.A., Fundamentals of Optical Fibres, John Wiley & Son, 2004

    Joannopoulos, J.D. et al., Photonic Crystals: Moulding the Flow of Light, Princeton Univ. Press, 1995

    Johnson S.G. and Joannopoulos, J. D., Photonic Crystals: The Road from Theory to Practice, Kluwer, 2002

    Hawker & Latimer: Lasers, Theory and Practice, Prentice Hall, 1995.

    Verdeyen J., Laser Electronics, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall, 1995

    Yariv, A.: Optical Electronics, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 4th edition, 1991

    Saleh & Teich: Photonics

    Guenther, R., Modern Optics

    Goodman, J.W., Introduction to Fourier Optics

    Hecht, E., Optics

    Pedrotti F.L., and Pedrotti, L.S., Introduction to Optics (the Physics IIB text)

    Siegman, A.E., Lasers

    Yariv, A., Optical Electronics

    Born M., and Wolf, E., Principles of Optics

    Online Learning

    MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course will be delivered by the following means:

    • Lectures 35 x 50-minute sessions with three sessions per week
    • Tutorials 11 x 50-minute sessions with one session per week
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

    Learning Activities Summary

    The course content will include the following:

    Coursework Content

    • Wave Optics (12 lectures)
      • Techniques for solving the wave equation: Hermite-Gaussian solution, integral methods
      • Fraunhofer diffraction
      • Fourier optics
      • Abbe’s theory of imaging
      • Amplitude spatial filtering
      • Phase spatial filtering
      • Babinet’s principle
    • Laser Physics (12 lectures)
      • Quantum mechanical description of the interaction of light with matter
      • Einstein coefficients, spontaneous and stimulated emission
      • 3 & 4 level gain media, rate equations, saturation, broadening
      • Laser resonators, stability, out-coupling, beam quality, frequency control
      • Pulsed lasers, gain switching, Q switching, mode locking
      • Review of common lasers,
    • Physical optics (6 lectures)
      • Reflection and refraction of light at dielectric interfaces and applications
      • Lorentz oscillator model
      • Birefringence, polarizers, waveplates, compensators
      • Faraday effect
    • Optical fibres (6 lectures)
      • Optical fibres: step index, graded index
      • Fibre lasers
      • Fibre Bragg gratings
      • Micro-structured fibres, photonic crystals
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment taskType of assessmentPercentage of total assessment for grading purposesHurdle (Yes/No)Outcomes being assessed
    Projects/Assignments & Tests Formative & Summative 40% No 1 – 7
    Written Examination Summative 60% No 1 – 7
    Assessment Related Requirements

    To obtain a grade of Pass or better in this course, a student must attend the examination.

    Assessment Detail

    Projects, Assignments and Tests: (40% of total course grade)
    The standard assessment consists of 2 projects/assignments and/or 2 tests. This may be varied by negotiation with students at the start of the semester. This combination of projects, tests and summative assignments is used during the semester to address understanding of and ability to use the course material and to provide students with a benchmark for their progress in the course.

    Written Examination: (60% of total course grade)
    One 3 hour exam is used to assess the understanding of and ability to use the material.

     

    Submission

    Submission of Assigned Work
    Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUNI. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.

    Extensions for Assessment Tasks
    Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a repacement examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. 

    Late submission of assessments
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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