Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Use a variety of information sources (lectures, web, journals) to understand & solve problems
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Understand various types and properties of planar waveguide platforms
- Develop knowledge and understanding of the properties of optical materials
- Appreciate a range of methods for the fabrication and characterisation of optical fibre waveguide platforms
- Appreciate a range of methods for the fabrication and characterisation of planar waveguide platforms
- Understand various types and properties of optical fibre & waveguide platforms
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply the knowledge and understanding of optical materials and their properties to choose the right material and fabrication method for a particular fibre/planar waveguide type
- Propose a correct fibre and planar waveguide type for a particular device application
- Make quantitative calculations of the properties of optical fibre and planar waveguide devices based on the knowledge of their parameters and materials used
Syllabus
Part 1 – Optical materials and their properties
Overview of optical materials and device platforms used in photonics industry
Optical properties of solids – insulator, semiconductor, metals
The Glassy state; Oxide and non-oxide glasses
Attenuation, Refractive index, Dispersion
Birefringence, polarization basics
Nonlinear susceptibilities - χ^((2) ), χ^((3) ) etc.
Part 2 Optical fibre fabrication
Optical fibre basics and properties
Optical fibre materials/types (silica, non-silica and specialty fibres)
Fabrication technology of optical fibres
Cleanroom tour/demonstration
Part 3 – Planar waveguide fabrication
Planar waveguide basics and properties
Planar waveguide materials/types (Semiconductor/Dielectric/Glass: SOI, III-V, LiNbO3, HMO, Chalcogenides, Amorphous and Glass materials…)
Planar waveguide fabrication technology (Deposition, Lithography, Etching, …)
Cleanroom tour/demonstration
Part 4 Characterization
Basic materials characterisation
Fibre & waveguide loss mechanisms
Fibre characterisation
Planar characterisation
Part 5 Applications
Example of fibre applications: telecoms-based
Example of planar applications: Si photonics-based
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The course consists of 3-4 lectures per week including a bi-weekly workshop/tutorial/cleanroom and lab demo. Online lecture notes and self-study packs will be provided on Blackboard.
- Learning activities include: attending lectures, problems classes, and exam preparation
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Tutorial | 12 |
Independent Study | 98 |
Lecture | 30 |
Total study time | 140 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Final Assessment | 60% |
Continuous Assessment | 40% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Examination | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Examination | 100% |